Happy Holidays! We'll be back on Friday.
In the meantime, feel free to talk about whatever you like: what perfume you’re wearing today, what you're cooking (or eating) over the holidays, anything at all.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is xmas lights [cropped] by Jonathan Youngblood at flickr; some rights reserved.
Today is the last day my place of employment is open before Christmas and I am working until 5 today. So today, I am in Cheirosa 62.
I am debating on if I should wear Lyric or Feminite du Bois for Christmas. I am going to my aunt and Uncle’s house for Christmas and we are responsible for the mashed potatoes and caramelized onions.
Have a good shift and a happy day tomorrow.
Merry Christmas, Dawn…yay for caramelized onions…love them and you don’t often get to invoke the onion emoji! 😆 🧅
How did I not know there was an onion emoji???
Happy Christmas Dawn!
Merry Christmas Dawn-another caramelized onion fan. My Mother was a pro at them and my sister carries on the tradition. 🧅. Joining Robin in delight at knowing there is an onion emoji😹
Yes to caramelized onions!!
Happy Christmas Dawn and bless you for working on Christmas Eve! I’m not familiar with either scent but I’m sure you’ll be beautiful in whatever you choose.
Sound great, Dawn. I hope your shift at work passes quickly and you have a wonderful dinner with the relatives. I would have a hard time choosing between Lyric & FdB!
Happy Holidays NST!
Christmas came early last week with a perfume sniffa with two Los Angeles perfume friends who were very generous. One of them is here on NST. We are lucky to be able to have in-person get-togethers and I cherish them and our friendship. Then a package from another very generous NST friend arrived in the mail so I’ve been wafting Arquiste Venice Rococo and ELDO Eau de Protection. Thank you so very much to this lovely and kind NSTer. I’ve been basking and basking. I didn’t realize at first that Eau de Protection was Rossy de Palma, renamed. Very jolie laide, a prickly rose with a lot of other things going on, which is how I like my roses. And I feel like an 18th century Venice noblewoman when I wear Venice Rococo, it’s sumptuous and powdery and floral and makes me think of our modern ‘lipstick’ scents, but with a bite of animalics and spice. Perfume people are the best!
Not sure what I’ll wear this evening, but it will include ‘eau de turkey” as I’m cooking one and making gravy for a largish family gathering. Everyone brings a side dish so it’s quite manageable.
Our atmospheric river is parked above the L.A. skies deluging the Southland and I’m sending good wishes to everyone traveling, to those in the fire-ravaged and flood-prone areas, and hoping everyone stays safe and warm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYqIF2XkqKU
The Australian singer Paul Kelly ( he’s practically the ‘song’ laureate of Australia) put out a song in 1996 called How to Make Gravy which has become ‘the’ Christmas song for this part of the world and always gets played. I hope your meal goes well!
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-21/how-to-make-gravy-paul-kelly-gravy-day/103249536
There’s an unofficial “How to make Gravy day” in Australia
Thanks for this, Kanuka. Very enjoyable and bittersweet. Funny how songs and themes catch on.
My husband’s father loved turkey gravy and would always ask anxiously about it. He wanted to make sure there would be lots. It became a kind of joke, and sometimes I would give him his very own little dish of gravy as he put it on everything except the dessert. He passed in 2018 but we still remember and smile at the memory.
Aw, so sweet and cute. My paternal and maternal families had conflicting opinions on turkey gravy. At my dad’s family gatherings we HAD to have giblet gravy, whereas at my mother’s side, everyone abhorred it. I confess I do dislike it a lot. I cooked a whole (small) turkey for Thanksgiving and the kitties got to enjoy those parts. Was there a view on this in your family?
DH, Merry Christmas from the other bank of the atmospheric river here in LA! That’s a moving story about your FiL. The rituals of the heart especially for those not still with us! If you’re tallying, put me in the turkey gravy column as we put the giblets in the stuffing. Last night, we served spumoni ice cream (which auto correct kept changing to “soul onion” ???) for dessert in honor of my aunt who left us in June. Not really a spumoni fan, but I sure savourer every bite last night.
Merry Christmas, DeniseH! Love your description of Venice Rococo…it’s on my sample list.
I’m excited to hear that someone else shares my love of Venice Rococo! My best find of 2025.
I can’t resist- does this outing make you all perfumistLA’s ? Whatever you call yourself it sounded like an oasis of sunshine in the storm!
Time for Santa Bob’s annual visit to NST~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8qE6WQmNus&list=RDa8qE6WQmNus&start_radio=1
Feeling Christmassy in Alahine.
You’ve just made Robin happy! Must be Christmas!
You smell festively fantastic!
Lovely, now the holiday season has officially begun! Thank you 🙂
I’ve never heard this song before. How marvelous to discover a new one!
Hi, NST friends 🌹
I have the day off and other than the ever-present laundry, I am spending the day relaxing. Reading, watching movies, sipping tea and wearing a beautiful cloud of Bapteme de Feu. I hope everyone enjoys some time to relax this week.
I hope you have a great day.
Thanks Kanuka, you as well.
Yay for a day off. Sounds like you will enjoy it to the fullest, ringthing. And you smell marvelous.
You smell wonderful, and our Christmas Day Chez Mossy will be like your lovely day today. Touching movie suggestion: The Best Years of Our Lives. You’ll like seeing Hoagy Carmichael in it, I think. It’s not really a Christmas movie but we often start the holiday movie series with it.
It’s a favorite of mine and I haven’t watched it in a long time. Thanks for the suggestion, MossyBerry!
One of the LesLiesse family’s all-time favorite movies! Bring the Kleenexes! That whole wedding section 🥲
I hope you enjoyed your day of R&R.
Ringthing, I joined you in slipping in three loads after brunch and gifts. The joy of clean sheets & towels!
Happ Holidays!
I tried three 2025 releases from Obvious (a new-to-me house) – and even though it’s only my second favorite, (Kakigori) White Crush is the one I keep turning over in my mind. It’s inspired by “the snow from Mount Fuji” – and I can see why some people compare it to Byredo Blanche (which, sadly, wasn’t my cup of tea).
My usual issue with this clean-musk style is that it can veer into laundry detergent or fabric softener on my skin. White Crush *does* have a hint of that dreaded “fresh laundry” note… but it’s paired with something I really enjoy: the feel of cold winter air. There’s also an icy iris that gives it a sleek, slightly elegant edge.
I’m still deciding whether I want to have it, but I’m glad I tried it. The vibe is very specific: you’re in a house high in the mountains on a bright morning, snow sparkling on the peaks. You open the dryer for warm, freshly cleaned clothes – then crack a window, and the scent of clean fabric mixes with a rush of crisp, freezing air.
Happy holidays Glannys. I hope you have a peaceful time and the power and heating stays on. I wish you better times in 2026 and hope more lasting peace becomes a reality.
I like the sound of your winter cabin/ fresh laundry scent and I’m going to look it up.
Glannys, I second Kanuka’s wish for you and for all Ukrainians. My best to you in the holiday season and new year.
Joining the NSTers wishing you, your mom, your kora kitty and your citizens peace in the new year.
Also wishing you good health, hope and peace in the New Year, Glannys. 🤗
Let’s definitely hope for peace in the New Year.
Happy Holidays Glannys! Add another voice calling for a just peace in Ukraine.
Glannys, an artistic and insightful review of White Crush. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Hey, I’ve been wondering where you are. Thanks!
Thank you for noticing! 2026 is going to be a year of prioitizing my health!
Happy Holidays everybody!
Sotd is Bvlgari Baciami.
Made myself a mug of peppermint hot chocolate to go with come sugar cookies. It’s never too early for treats!
For Christmas I’ll be wearing Angel’s Share Paradis. It should fit well with the party vibe.
Have a great day Happy888!
Merry Christmas Kanuka!
Omg, peppermint hot chocolate sounds luscious! Hope you enjoyed it thoroughly H888C !
Merry Christmas! It’s Christmas Day and we’re forecast for heavy rain and hail, with thunder…thanks summer. At the moment (5am) it’s clear and getting light, so the morning should be good for a dog walk before I knuckle down to make a pavlova with fresh strawberries and raspberries ( yay, summer) and trifle. We have power restored to everything in the kitchen except the electric sparky thing on the hob ( the culprit of our power going out).So, dinner is back on for the Danes…hope they’re not expecting Babette’s Feast. Our town clears out over summer: the university students leave for three months, people go to their baches ( holiday homes) , many businesses close down until mid-January so the vibe is very chill and beach, or people working in their gardens, mountain biking etc. I hope everyone has some fun over the next few days.
Merry Christmas Kanuka!
I’m sure everyone will enjoy your dinner. I wish my town would shut down until mid January. That sounds awesome.
Merry Christa s Lillyjo. Hope you can relax and the snow stays away!
Merry Christmas, Kanuka! 🎅🏻🎄
To answer your post from yesterday, my sister is wonderful! She actually celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary yesterday. 😍 She gets scans every 6 months and in 2026 she will be 5 years cancer free. We live in miraculous times. Sending you hugs and thank you for asking about her. 🥰 🤗
That’s wonderful news. Happy Christmas!
So glad you got power back! Have a wonderful meal, and pavlova for Xmas sounds so perfect.
Oh dear, what a shame! But I’m glad you’ll be able to cook.
Glad to hear your power has been restored!
That all sounds lovely. I want a chill vibe and working in the garden.
Kanuka, sounds like we’re sharing your weather here in So California. I truly enjoy the international group that NST is, and the daily reminders of international datelines and northern & southern hemispheres’ seasonal flips. A pavlova with luscious berries sounds mouth-watering. Hope you enjoyed your holiday and your weather cleared up! Merry Christmas!
Happy Holidays!!!
I am wearing Jasper
https://www.instagram.com/p/DSpSabjjp3y/
Happy holidays cm8!
Thanks!!!!!🙏
Happy Holidays to you and your grandkitties, CM8!
Grand kitties say thank you!!! They are enjoying the treats and toys from Santa!!!!!?
Happy holidays CM8!
Spending the morning in Ambre Narguilé, but will switch to L’Ambre des Merveilles to blend with the other food scents that will be filling our home later on. Mr. G is making a prime rib roast via a new-to-him slow-roast recipe — we did a dress rehearsal on a less expensive roast a few days ago and the recipe worked very well. Kids are bringing the side dishes and we have no idea what they’ll be so surprises are in store. One son and wife are definitely foodies so I have high hopes there; the other two are, shall we say, “inventive” where cooking is concerned, so I’m prepared to keep an open mind. 🙂 Merry Christmas Eve to everyone in the northern hemisphere, and Happy Christmas to those in New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and anywhere else that the calendar has already flipped!
I make a slow roast prime rib nearly every year, it’s easy peasy! And this year, extra spendy, I was a wee bit surprised! But it’s only once a year.
Have a wonderful meal and hope all the surprises are good surprises 🙂
We’re a prime rib for Christmas family too w Yorkshire pudding. I’ve never tried a slow roast recipe so I’ll be interested to hear how your menu comes out SG! And thank you for underscoring how we go round the world! Merry Christmas indeed!
The prime rib turned out extremely well, despite our having to do the low-temp hours in the air fryer. (Our oven’s electronics are failing.) The high-temp finish had to be done in the regular oven and that was a bit of a struggle — with the electronics failing, the oven turns itself off after 10 or 15 minutes, and has to be “rebooted” (turn off oven, count slowly to 15, turn oven back on, wait for next failure). Sadly, and I suspect I’ve rambled on here about this already, the gap in our countertop is an inch or so too small to accommodate a new oven, so a minor (if we’re lucky) or somewhat more major (if we’re not) kitchen remodel has to be done.
Wow, prime rib in an air fryer! I don’t have an a/f, but you just proved to me you can make anything in one almost. Bravo!
Merry Christmas from a place where the calendar has already flipped – thanks for thinking of us, SheriG 🙂 .
I’m visiting my mother, we’re just eating our breakfast and then we’ll open a few presents.
My beloved decided he wanted to spend Christmas at home, this is our first Christmas apart in about 20 years.
We’ll be spending the day with my mother’s cousin and some of her family, and I’m still trying to decide between Diorling or Lubin’s Idole.
Merry Christmas Gaynor!
Have a wonderful day with your Mom.
Merry Christmas, Gaynor! 🎅🏻🎄I vote for Idole!
Happy Christmas Gaynor!! I hope the weather stays reasonable…enjoy your day.
Merry Christmas to you and your mom and Mr. G!
Merry Christmas! I vote for Diorling😸
Merry Christmas Gaynor! Or is it already Boxing Day for you?
Merry Christmas Gaynor and Gaynor’s mom! I’m impressed that you and your beloved can each honor each other’s wishes so beautifully. Thank you for setting a lovely example.
I’m checking in from crazy work.
I went to the small grocery store this morning, but didn’t get much. I’m going to have to stop at the big grocery store after work.
I’m wearing Coco edt today.
Happy Christmas Eve and Merry Christmas!
Good luck at the big grocery store!!! And you smell amazing!!!!
You smell great and also wishing you luck at the store. 🤗
Coco will help you power through!
“Power through” is just what I thought too about Coco’s superpowers. Merry Christmas and best wishes for shopping mojo lillyjo!🛒💪
Merry Christmas to you as well!
Hope you got what you needed at the big grocery store, lillyjo.
Merry Christmas to you, the kids, and your doggo!
Merry Christmas Lillyjo to you and yours! Hope the supermarkets treated you well! Whatever you chose I’m co gisent you smelled gorgeous!
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. Sprayed a little Dusita Tonka Latte for my trip to the store this morning to pick up my beef roast and Yule Log. We are now watching Home Alone and Die Hard, one of our newer traditions!
Merry Christmas! I love Home Alone and Die Hard! Alan Rickman’s performance as Hans Gruber really makes that film. ❤️
Merry Christmas! I am impressed that you have a For Real Yule Log!
Merry Christmas MMKinPA! We were reminiscing about Pittsburgh over brunch. I had never seen Die Hard until last Christmas. I always thought people were kidding about ash being a Xmas film but I get it now. Enjoy your Yule Log and roast!
Waiting for the coffee pot to finish its cleaning cycle so I thought I’d stop by –
Merry Christmas Eve 🌲to those who celebrate (and Merry Christmas 🌲to all those for whom it’s already that special day) and Happy Holidays 🥳to all whichever holiday you celebrate! And special stay-safe wishes go out to all in the path of the flooding storms in Southern California and to Glannys, her family and all in Ukraine! 🤗
Since Christmas is the season of love and sugar plums, my SOTD is an oldie but a goodie, YR Ode a l’Amour, fruity and sweet with lots of plums but light enough to not clash with cooking smells.
Just heard the 5 beeps, the coffee pot is done, time to go –
☮️ ❤️ and 🤞to all!
Merry Christmas, Laila! 🎅🏻🎄
Have a wonderful day Laila
Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Laila, and 😻😽😸!
Merry Christmas Laila! We survived our atmospheric river I’m happy to say!
Wow, the rain is really coming down.
Lights have flickered a few times.
Going to brave it to go get a mani/pedi then come home and get cozy.
Have everything ready to make some soul nourishing soup for myself.
Chloe Cedrus for the day since Quentin and I have had a good year together.
Yay for your cozy evening with Quentin! 😍
I was out in the worst of it too apsara as I had to go to the pharmacy for mom after our annual Christmas Eve lunch. About the only good thing with the rain was I valet parked and the valet complimented my Sotd City of Stars. 😆☔️✨
And congratulations on you and Quentin’s having a good year together!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🎅🏻🎄Debating what form of Shalimar to wear for Xmas Eve at relatives…maybe MVP? 🧐
I am behind on wrapping and gift assembly and will need to stay up a bit late to wrap a few things after She-ra Mini hits the hay 😅 but Mr. She-ra went to the grocery store this morning so I escaped that evil. 😆
Sending much gratitude to this kind and fragrant community that understands the importance of things like reformulation, flanker and BUB! 🥰 🤗 ❤️
Yay for avoiding the grocery store today! I bet it was cray-cray.
Merry Christmas She-Ra ! Which Shalimar did you decide on? Whichever I’m co gisent you smelled positively beautiful !
I made one all-important trip this afternoon for last-minute presents–to the pet store, ha ha! I bought treats, Churu (the squeeze-tube past kitties adore), and a new catnip “kicker” toy–in the shape of an alligator, ha ha!
Tomorrow I’ll go visit Mom in her memory care unit. She doesn’t grasp what holidays are any more but I still do and will enjoy seeing her at lunch.
Nothing else planned but a special and traditional treat of shrimp cocktail!
My SOTD is Tam Dao, for calm amidst the hustle-bustle that absorbs so much time over the holidays.
“paste” not “past.” And I forgot to say, Happy holidays to all!
PS: The cats have their own stocking. But I’ve hung it high enough up that they can’t try to grab it and open it themselves. That HAS happened in the past because they can smell the catnip.
Had to laugh about the kitteh stocking heist!
Such smart kitty witties😎
I hope they enjoyed their treats!!!! I derive such pleasure seeing their photos!!!!!
Have a lovely Xmas day lunch with your mom, Calypso, and enjoy that shrimp cocktail.
Happy Holidays Calypso! So glad you shred time with your mom and your kitties (love that they have their own stockings) !
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! 🎅
I wore Donna Karan Black Cashmere for the morning and afternoon activities. I will wear Chanel Coromandel EdT for tonight’s Christmas gathering with my family. I am wrapping the last presents and should be ready to leave home in two hours.
I wish you all a happy, peaceful and lovely Holiday Season! 🎄
You’re smelling fabulous for all of it, pl67!
Thank you, Ringthing! 🌹
Merry Christmas, perfumelover67!
Thank you, Jalapeno! 🌻
The three amigos say happy Pawlidays to Kito.
Thank you, dear! Happy Pawlidays from Kito to your 3 amigos! 😻😻😻
Merry Christmas pl67! I adore that you split your olfactory celebration into two. I think you’ve a whole new dimension to my basking and basking ritual.
Thank you, LesLiesse! 🌻
I am wearing Panthere de Cartier parfum this morning. FedEx arrived with packages from friends and my sister, so the tree doesn’t look so naked underneath now. My Christmas Eve dinner is made and chilling in the refrigerator, I have Old Bay seasoned shrimp and I eat as many as I can hold. When I was young and terribly poor it seemed the height of luxury and riches to be able to eat as many shrimp as I wanted, so it became my Christmas tradition. Any leftovers will get eaten tomorrow.
I am sending holiday wishes for joy and peace to everyone and thank you all for being a little oasis of tranquility and optimism in what sometimes seems a desert of negativity elsewhere. And thank you Robin for hosting all these years.
I’m totally with you on the shrimp, foxbins. I used to park next to the shrimp bowl at wedding receptions (when I was younger and had more friends getting married) and now I try to be inconspicuous while circling the shrimp bowl at parties. We just bought a couple of pounds for tomorrow’s appetizers and it will be a Christmas miracle if they last the night in my refrigerator😋
same thing with shrimp here!
Merry Christmas foxbins!
Shrimp Lovers Unite! I have some Old Bay seasoning. Do you prepare the shrimp with the Old Bay or sprinkle it on afterwards? Here! Here! For our oasis of tranquility and optimism as you so aptly put it! And Robin, the Founder of our feast!
SOTD = Panier des Sens Blooming Iris Absolute EDT
In case I don’t get to say it, Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!
One of the newest of the new and I love it. I probably could have saved it for tomorrow …
I took a walk this afternoon and took a number of photos, some of which I had posted on IG. Go check it out!
Here’s a gift article from The New York Times. Today’s link is all about pandoro, panettone -adjacent (and sorry for using the overused word 😇).
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/dining/panettone-pandoro.html?unlocked_article_code=1._E8.Mkad.I65WiV6XPsA5&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Merry Christmas, hajusuuri!
I’ve enjoyed your photos!!!!
Merry Christmas hajusuuri!
Merry Christmas hajusuuri!
‘Twas the night before Christmas…
And I am watching NORAD track Santa Claus on my laptop. Before I logged on here, he had just left Greenland.
I had a package arrive for Teflon and me right around lunchtime. Gifts for tomorrow from friends! 🎁🎄
It’s just me and Teflon kitty tomorrow, although I will be on a Zoom call with some friends in NJ in the afternoon. Still have plenty of leftovers in the fridge from recent cooking, so I will be well fed. I will be texting a lot of people tomorrow too.
SOTD = Hypnotic Poison EdP (thunk) and Hypnotic Poison EdT, from the Sample Stash. Got them on different arms.
Glad you won’t be alone tomorrow. You and Teflon kitty will be in our thoughts, too 🤗😻😽😸.
Thank you Laila!
You are smelling wonderfully good. Please give Teflon kitty a little Christmas Eve kiss for me on the top of her head (if she doesn’t object). I hope you have a nice time celebrating with your brother after he’s rested from work💕
Thanks allo! I did give Tef a little smooch late last night. She was less than thrilled about it, but didn’t complain much.
Cats always make Christmas cozy! Pet Teflon kitty for me!
Home is where the cat is!
Have a very merry Christmas!
Thank you! 🎄🎁
Enjoy your day with Teflon!!!!
Thanks CM8! Teflon had extra kitty treats today to celebrate.
Merry Christmas Jalapeno and TK and brother Jalapeno!
Thank you lillyjo! My brother sounded tired when I spoke with him on the phone earlier tonight. But at least it was a normal tired.
Merry Christmas jalapeño! Hope you had a FAN-tastic day!
Thanks LesLiesse! It was around 70 degrees here again today.
Merry Christmas, everyone! Thank you for your kind greetings yesterday – I’m genuinely touched. I know you all mean well.
If I’m being completely honest, “peace” is a word that makes me wince these days, because it’s been so overused and twisted in our reality. So I’ll rephrase my wish for 2026 in a more practical way: that we make it through the rest of winter with as little loss and damage as possible.
I am feeling anxious, but we’re OK – our longest outage so far was seven hours, and my town has been quiet for now. Thoughtful use of the charging station (and extra layers) helps.
Scent of the day: another 2025 release by Obvious – Plum Cream. It’s my favorite from the house. Sweet and savory at the same time – a sweet, salty, slightly spicy plum – and weirdly both cozy and polished. I’ll probably get a decant, and I’m not even a big fan of fruity fragrances.
Merry Christmas to you, Glannys! If I am not mistaken, doesn’t Obvious have something like Cycle 001 or something like that? It’s my favorite!
No idea! A completely new house for me. But Google tells me that Cycle 001 is by Maison Violet.
Merry Christmas Glannys!
I wish all that is good for you and your family.
Merry Christmas Glannys! We wish for you and the rest of your valiant country to make it through the rest of winter with as little loss and damage as possible!
Merry Christmas Glannys! Very pleased to hear things haven’t been that bad for you so far. I hope it continues into the New Year.
Couldn’t decide what to wear this morning so I went with Prada Rose on one side and Iris on the other.
https://www.instagram.com/chocolatemarzipan8/p/DSrvqf_DmE7/
Took a five mile walk this morning in solitude. Came home and baked cookies and lasagna. Now relaxing with the fur babies.
Sounds like a great day!
Merry Christmas cm8!
😻🌲❤️🎄
Five miles! I’m impressed. Love that you split your scents to wear both.
I am going to support you in prioritizing your health in 2026 as I made the same commitment six months ago and it was the best decision that I ever made.
Thank you CM 8! All support appreciated! Can you share any details how you did this? Or would you prefer to expound in an email? I am intrigued in your success story.
I am going to support you in prioritizing your health in 2026 as I made the same commitment six months ago and it was the best decision that I ever made.
How’s your full bottle stash doing?
😝
It ebbs and flows! One day I need to inventory.
Sometimes I may be in the mood for something but then realize that a family member has “ borrowed “ it 😹
Merry Christmas!
I’m done stuffing my face, and will be cleaning up in a minute.
I am wearing Bel Respiro from the sample stash. I think it’s the first time I have worn it. I love it! I am feeling casual and fancy at the same time. Lol.
Echoing what foxbins said.. thank you all for being so wonderful!
Merry Christmas!!!! You smell great!!!
Thank you lillyjo for being so wonderful!
Merry Christmas lillyjo!
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it! I’ve been MIA again, but Aubrey and I are now improving in health. Thanks again for all the good wishes earlier. ❤️ As we all know, perfume people are the best!
I am wafting my favorite Christmas scent, Aqaba. Sweet, spicy, balsamic rose. I have a sweet spot for this brand ever since I had called once to ask a question, and Miriam Mirani herself answered the phone! Unheard of.
I ha planned two dinners for last night and tonight, but last night’s didn’t happen. Neither of us were very hungry, so we had salad, followed by popcorn and the first two hours of The Count of Monte Cristo. The last hour is for tonight, after the Beef Stroganoff.
Merry Christmas AnnE!
Thank you, lillyjo, and the same to you!
It’s good to hear that you and Aubrey are feeling better. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, foxbins. Is everyone in fine fettle at your house?
No dog anymore but three kitties, and we are all doing well!
Excellent!
Merry Christmas! Glad you’re feeling better!
Aww, thanks, LesLiesse! Merry Christmas to you as well!
Merry Christmas AnnE! Glad to hear that you and Aubrey are on the mend!
I am glad you are better! And “balsamic rose” sounds great.
Thanks, Glannys! Hmm, I may have used the wrong word here. I could have sworn that it has myrrh, which isn’t listed, but it does have olibanum:
https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Aqaba/Aqaba-Classic-2265.html
Frankincense/olibanum is balsamic as well, as far as I know. The notes are great: rose, frankincense, cinnamon, cardamom, clove… Yum!
It is yummy! I wish I could mail you some.
I worked today but the load was light and I was home by lunch. I really wanted to be in the Christmas spirit with something wintery like Black Cashmere or Avignon but it is 75 degrees and I wasn’t feeling the winter spirit. I went with Gypsy Water which gives a hint of wood along with vanilla. I have to say, this is one perfume which I regret not buying a 100 ml bottle.
Happy Holidays to everyone.
Happy Holidays to you!
I absolutely understand the “too small bottle” regret. Done it a couple of times myself.
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and Happy Almost Friday to everyone else!
Sotd- Guerlain Encens Mythique ( from an amazing NSTer) layered with MM By the Fireplace.
Was sick for a week and MIA from everything. My CP Sotd was BDK Impadia, which is on my FB list I love it so much. After that commando until yesterday, when I wore (maybe too much?) LV City of Stars. Both the valet (it was pouring rain yesterday) and our waiter asked me what scent I was wearing, which rarely happens let alone twice in one day. I guess I was baskkkkking & baskkkkking. 😆. A beautiful day wherever you are, whatever you celebrate, to all!
Sorry to hear you were sick. Sounds like you’re feeling better now, though. 👍🏻 LV=Lorenzo Villoresi??
Louis Vuitton. Being a n00b I’m not familiar with Lorenzo Villorresi. Do you have a favorite w that house?
Of course! smh
He’s not as well-known now, but used to be very popular years ago. My favorites are Yerba Mate and Gomma.
Oops. Gomma was from Etro.
I was wondering if you’d meant ETRO Gomma. It’s lovely! Glad I got it when I could.
Merry Christmas LesLiesse! You’ve had a rough December, haven’t you?
Gosh jalapeño, it’s been a rough 2025! And I haven’t even shared all the sadness, trying not to be a total downer in such a positive place as the wonderful NST! 2026 will be better!
Same. There’s some stuff which happened earlier this year that I’ve kept to myself b/c I didn’t want to bum people out. The timing just wasn’t right.
I hear you. NST is an oasis and I’m learning to be careful to maintain its serenity, beauty and camaraderie! On a cute note I inadvertently learned today to say “snuggle under a duvet” in French: se blottir sous une couette! Se blottir doesn’t trigger snuggle for me. When I get blotto, je me blottis sous une couette. 😆🥂
Good health to you and your family in 2026!
Glannys, you’re reading my mind. I’ve declared that 2026 will be a year of prioritizing health! B
If only I had this power! 🤣I just read your comment about prioritizing health and came to your thread to wish you what you desire for yourself.
If only the Universe will align like this often in 2026! 🙌🫶🏻✌🏻
Merry Christmas! Wearing Shalimar Millesime Tonka. Nice to have both of our sons home and both of their fiancees as well (2 weddings next year!). Started the day with Irish breakfast food my mom sent us–bangers and rashers, white and blood pudding, and whole meal bread with Irish butter and marmalade. Dinner success with a potato and leek gratin. Not so much with the pulled pork. So warm here that the only clothing gift I can wear right now is a cute blouse my sister gave me.
Sounds like an ideal day and congratulations on the weddings!
Merry Christmas Sapphire!