It's the last weekend (and our last lazy weekend open thread) of 2025.
Talk about anything you like — the fragrance you’re wearing today, any fragrance-related regrets you have about the past year, whatever.
Or, ask a question about fragrance, then see if anyone else has asked a question that you can answer…
Note: top image is Frozen Fruits - Raspberry Edition [cropped] by Theo Crazzolara at flickr; some rights reserved.
Wearing Infusion d’iris again today. I still have post holiday dragging butt but still have to go to work today. My sister sent me a link to the tracking order on what she got me. She got me an Estee Lauder Pleasures. It is a 1 ounce bottle and some hand cream.
I bet the hand cream will feel wonderful. I think EL does creams so well.
Post holiday dragging here too, and suspect will be even more serious tomorrow when the last of my guests leave and I need to start doing some serious cleaning. Might just go to the sauna and leave it all until next week 🙂
I vote for sauna!
Me too!
Vegging out as well here.
Hope your package arrives without incident or weather delays.
You smell beautiful!
Pleasures is a nice fragrance.
My sister used to wear Pleasures. 🙂 Also suffering from post holiday dragging butt…for some reason that phrase makes me thinking of a basset hound 😆
Well, I got through Christmas, which is all I have to say about it. I wore my new gift-to-myself stocking present, Prada Paradoxe Virtual Flower. Yesterday I wore Tom Ford Myrrh Mystere, since myrrh seems seasonal. Our weather is very warm and mild, we hit a record high the other day in the 80s. My shoulder pain has been so bad that I’m now eager to get my surgery. I’ve even had two different dreams recently about having a meeting with or being at someone’s house that had such low ceilings it was like being in a cave where I was constantly hunched over!
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/aug/29/no-other-choice-review-park-chan-wook?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
I’m sorry your shoulder is causing so much pain. You must long for just a day of respite. I watched No other choice the other day and thought of you. One of my top three movies of the year if you can watch it.
Thank you–yes, it’s finally coming here! It will open at my favorite local cinema on Jan 1 and I’ll be there!
Sorry for your shoulder, Calypso. I hope it gets better soon.
So sorry Calypso.
Hope the days are not too bad until surgery and you can keep us posted with only your right hand for six weeks!
Interesting about your dreams.
I’m sorry you are in so much pain Calypso.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your shoulder pain. I hope after the surgery it will soon be a thing of the past.🤗
Ouch! Glad then that you don’t have long to wait now.
Oh that sounds miserable. Sorry you’re dealing with that level of pain, Calypso, I’ll bet you are looking forward to the surgery.
So sorry to hear about your shoulder. Fingers crossed for an easy surgery and swift healing afterwards.
So sorry Calypso! 🤗
Oh, no. I hope there is something you can take for that pain. That sounds miserable. Hope you will have the surgery soon.
Thank you to everyone for such kind and sympathetic responses. I really appreciate it!
Adding my hopes that you will have relief soon!
Very sorry for your shoulder pain and hope you can get surgery and relief soon, Calypso! 🤗
I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and all the other celebrations around this time.
I’m back home after a few very nice days with my mother, very quiet, and all the better for that. The weather wasn’t very summery, but it was dramatic with afternoon thunderstorms. I did wonder what I might encounter flying home yesterday afternoon, but it was all good.
I’m thinking about a perfume purchase to celebrate the New Year, so I’m contemplating my list of possible purchases – very enjoyable!
I’m glad you got home safely given all the storms. Good luck deciding on your next perfume purchase
Report back if you decide what to get!
Welcome home Gaynor!
Happy to hear you had such a very lovely visit with your mother! I’d love to know what’s on your New Years purchase list Gaynor.
Me too!
Bit chilly this morning so I’m still in bed reading. I don’t have too many plans for the day but will go for a walk around the cemetery later and do some drawing. Both pastimes are very quiet and meditative, but also focused, which suits me…that hint of attentiveness creates a sense of well-being. Wearing Gris Clair
I hope you have better summer weather this year.
Reading, walking and drawing does sound like a calm and happy day.
A calm and happy day, smelling wonderful.
Do you usually draw landscapes en plein air during your walks? Gris Clair is on my (eventual) buy list. I’m a fougère convert since I tried the Cra-Yon discovery set at your enabling. Their Fougère Affair hooked me.
This year I am setting myself a project of sketching from all the park benches in my part of town: cemetery, playing fields, botanic gardens. So, yes en plein air but with coloured pencils rather than paints
What an inspirational project Kanuka! Please keep us updated on your endeavor!
Trying Habit Rouge Parfum today and it’s beautiful! 😻 I read a bunch of reviews saying how good it was and that it leans unisex and it really does.
I read once that Keith Richards wore Habit Rouge. I’m not sure which version.
Not a great day for Kyiv and the Kyiv region. At least my place seemed to be out of the way of missiles and air defense strikes – I only heard a few distant shots. Well, back to longer outages.
Inspired by AnnaE’s SOTD earlier this week (Aqaba), I wanted to wear something with rose and resins, so I went with Hayari Parfums FeHom:
TOP NOTES – Cardamom, juniper berry, bergamot
HEART NOTES – Rose Absolute de Grasse, sandalwood, freesia
BASE NOTES – Benzoin, vanilla, amber
The rose is not super strong but still noticeable, and the spices and resins are delicious.
I’m very glad to hear that you are OK, I think of you every time I hear about an attack on Kyiv.
Your perfume sounds lovely.
That sounds lovely, Glannys!
I’m glad you are ok Glannys.
I thought about you earlier when I heard about the attacks and continue to pray for your safety.🙏
Glannys, it is just mind boggling how long this has gone on. So glad to think of you wearing a beautiful perfume.
I’m relieved you’re okay Glannys! Your fragrance sounds beautifully complex especially with juniper berries in the mix. You must smell marvelous!
I’m so sorry, Glannys, and glad you are ok. Your perfume sounds amazing.
Every time I hear news from Kyiv, I think of you. Glad to hear that you and yours are OK.
Freesia tends to take over in a fragrance with my chemistry, sadly.
I thought about you when I read about the attacks. I’m so sorry about this.
Happy you are okay, but sorry you need to keep going through this. I pray for you that it ends sooner than later.
Hoping a just peace arrives in your world soon.
Glannys, I am so sorry about this terrible experience for you and all Ukrainians. The stress of years of this must be exhausting as well. I am praying for peace and as spiderplant wisely says, “a just peace.”
I am parked on my office floor.
Three stacks – books to donate/papers to shred/papers and other stuff to take to giant shred place.
Goal is one bookshelf for personal papers.
One bookshelf for library volunteer materials.
Just had a package from Quince delivered about five minutes ago.
I had a credit so I used it for a bottle of Bois de Santal.
Who knew?
I had to look up Quince. I hadn’t heard of them. How is the perfume?
I did too. I have never heard of it.
Have not opened it yet, lillyjo.
Maybe on New Years.
Sugar Leather today, heading out to see Marty Supreme.
My stepmother was wearing a lovely jacket from Quince at Xmas, I had heard of them but never bought anything. Had no idea they had perfume.
Quince?
My daughter gets a lot of stuff from Quince but I didn’t know perfume was a possibility 🧐
I worked today, and now I am home with a headache. I plan on going to bed early. I have to be back to work in the morning.
My sotd is Prada Candy Night.
Ugh. Hope a good night’s sleep takes care of the headache lillyjo.
By the time you read this I hope you feel much better and your workday flies by.
I hope your head is better now, lillyjo, and that your day goes by quickly!
Bletch! Headaches stink. So does working an early shift after a late one the night before.
Hope you are feeling better today.
I never met a fragrance with blood orange I didn’t ❤️ and that holds true for my SOTD, VS Very Sexy Dare. Nutmeg adds a bit of spice to the blood orange and a few florals blend softly and rest on a mild sandalwood/tonka bean base. Great for the holiday season!
Mr. Laila’s sister joined us for the day spent at their uncle’s wake and funeral service which was quite beautiful. Their dad was from a family of 16 siblings and they have 61 first cousins, many of whom they hadn’t seen in a long time, so there were many heartwarming reunion moments.
Looking forward to relaxing the rest of the weekend. ☮️❤️🤞!
Wow, that is a big family! So glad it was a lovely service.
(And Very Sexy Dare sounds really nice, I do love orange and nutmeg.)
I’m with you on the blood orange! And they add such panache to a dish with that deep ruby red color and intoxicating scent!
Oh gosh should have read further before I could only focus on blood oranges. And glad for you to have such family support at this time and the beauty of the service. May both comfort you both as you recover.
61 first cousins?? Wow!! That family tree must get complicated really fast.
Happy Saturday!
Out rain cleared and it was fabulous outside- petrichor-filled air, bracing, vistas as far as the eye could see, sunshine warming things up.
Sotd MM By the Fireplace, inspired by an interview with one of the stars of Heated Rivalry. Haven’t seen it yet, but multiple holiday conversations have brought it up especially from the 20-something’s I know. I can’t remember which actor- the brunette one- said it was among his two favorites, the other being Jazz Club. Of course with 2 scents from the same house that could have been a massive product placement. In any case, when I surveyed my modest holdings it jumped out at me and I’m enjoying n it thoroughly. I may have to FB it.
Ha, whereas we had a nasty ice storm yesterday and it’s cold and grey. I am suitably jealous!!
*sending some cold but clear sunny weather your way*
Going down to 46F tonight. Brrrr! 🥶🥶🥶
Send your rain due East! Colorado and Utah could both really use it.
I think you sent me your rain! Lol.
Belated birthday wishes to Kris and spiderplant! 💐🎁🎊
As expected, I spent quite a bit of time over at my brother’s yesterday. We ate dinner, talked, watched some stuff on YouTube, then switched over to anime on Crunchyroll when YouTube decided it didn’t like my brother’s tech setup. We had dessert a couple of hours after dinner; had to let those big honking steaks settle. Plus the side dishes. We had 3 of them this time.
What I didn’t expect was how late I stayed. Got home at 11:45 last night. Way too late to post. Teflon kitty was glad to see me after my longer-than-usual absence.
SOTD = Imaginary Authors A Little Secret, from The Sample Stash. If this were a color, it would be Day-Glo Red.
Your Xmas sounds perfect, I’m so glad! I have been eating our xmas desserts for days now and luckily they are almost gone.
Thank you Robin!
Neither my brother nor I are big dessert people. I picked up a small pumpkin cake roll when I was getting groceries before Xmas. We each had a small slice yesterday.
I still have half left today. 😃
Such a great time jalapeño! And I’m fascinating by your comparing a color to your scent.
Thanks LesLiesse!
I can’t really explain it. Sometimes when I wear a perfume, a color just pops into my head.
I’m so glad you and your bro had such a nice day together. You are so lucky to have each other; I’m an only child who lost both parents by the time I was 25, so I’ve always been keenly aware of the lack of having a sibling to turn to to share life’s joys and sorrows. Wishing you both (and Teflon kitty) wonderful 2026 ahead!🥳
And although I’m not familiar with your scent, I love the idea of a Day-Glo Red fragrance!
Laila, I had a friend in college who fought with her sister All. The. Time. They had even done physical damage to each other in the past.
I am profoundly grateful not to have had that.
I know exactly what you mean. The interactions between Mr. Laila’s 3 siblings (not him, he’s the peacemaker), have the reverse effect and make me glad that I have no siblings!
Sounds like you guys had fun!
I took my sample of A Little Secret to a perfume get together tonight, it was a hit. I really like it but it’s fleeting.
A Little Secret is still very much evident on my shirt. Dunno how well it has lasted on my skin, though. It’s very much a skin scent from the get-go for me.
Kind of surprised I liked it. Usually cherry notes are an epic level fail on me.
It sounds like a great dinner with your brother. I miss hanging out with my brother. He is always with his wife’s family.
My brother is pretty darn good at grilling those steaks! Eventually we will get to all those crab legs he has in his freezer.
Thank you for the birthday wishes.
Glad you had fun with your brother. Being an only child and parents that are gone, I wish I had a connection like that. Luckily, I have a great stepdaughter. She took me to a movie on my birthday.
I can see why you would associate your scent with red since it has cherry. I’m not much of a cherry person in perfume so not sure it would be my thing.
Typically, cherry notes in perfume smell like cough syrup to me. And that doesn’t bring up red, but other, less pleasant associations. 🤧
IA’s A Little Secret is the first perfume I’ve come across that has a genuine, sour cherry scent to it.
PS. Glad to hear that you have such a solid relationship with your stepdaughter.
Thank you. : )
Sounds like you had a relaxing holiday.
It was, thanks! My brother and I keep things casual.
Not much time to post the last few days – lots of family/friends stopping by and often at mealtimes. They do bring something (like drinks) which is much appreciated but I do think if you have lots of dietary restrictions, it’s extra appreciated if you bring some kind of food that you *can* eat. Just saying. Despite minor annoyances, it’s been great to see folks.
Anyway, I’ve been wearing Theorema, Lost Cherry, and Santal Complet mostly with a few other interesting samples sprinkled in: Armani Prive Santal Dan Sha and SL Cuir Mauresque for two of those.
Looking forward to watching Shetland Season 10 which is about to air on Britbox (1/1/26) or so I’ve read.
Whoops – sorry Jalapeno, I meant this as a stand alone post, obviously!
No worries!
I have tons of dietary restrictions but don’t expect anybody else to do anything about them…sorry anyway on behalf of us picky eaters 🙂
Glad you had a good time seeing people anyway!
I just feel bad as the hostess when I don’t have something for everyone to eat.
Of course, I would too.
I’m glad you had such a nice time with your brother. There’s nothing like spending time with the people in our lives who know us well and with whom we can relax and lose track of time😊
Beautifully put!
It was nice to just hang out.
I was gifted some Antonio Alessandria samples since I didn’t make it to his store in Catania (apparently only open two hours a day on certain evenings) or to the perfume store in Palermo that had his scents (distracted by markets and Arabs and Normans). I’m rather loving Gattopardo.
Back from my sister’s house across the border, which is generally something of a trial for many reasons. Worse this time as she tasked me with taking my dad out of the house with us to go shopping downtown, and this is a difficult task these days, for many reasons both related and not. We made it through, and now just have U.S. trip #2 next week to get through.
I had to look your fragrance up and it sounds quite interesting and very boozy,
Good luck with trip #2, glad #1 is out of the way for you!
Does Gattopardo translate to “Leopard”?
Happy Very Belated Birthday to Kris & Spiderplant.
Calypso, I’m sure you’re counting down the days. Hope you can get some peace and pain-free rest very soon. Nights are always the worst when one has pain as there is nothing to distract us from it.
I have been late catching up on posts, obviously!
Lillyjo, I hope you woke up without your headache and are having an ok day at work.
Glannys, I echo everyone’s relief that you and your family and kitty are safe, but I also grieve for all those who have lost loved ones in this horrific war of aggression.
In that spirit, it seems quite banal to say that our power went out during the L.A. storms around noon on Xmas Eve, right as we had a turkey ready to go into the oven and 12 family members due to arrive at 5:30. Luckily, we’d cooked a couple of side dishes that morning. Much hand-wringing ensued and gaming out of alternatives ensued. Cancel? Drive the turkey to another relative’s to cook? (no one was available; they were all cooking too). Forgo the bird? Husband ended up roasting it on our gas bbq grill (it came out a bit dry but hey, we were grateful) and spent the afternoon prepping candles, camp lanterns, fireplace. Guests bearing side dishes arrived at 5:30 and lo and behold the power came back on at 5:35 and a loud cheer went up.
So I totally forgot to wear perfume on that day and since then I’ve been wearing a smattering of things – Diane by Diane Von Furstenburg, an interesting and new-to-me but probably discontinued patchouli-forward scent that evokes the original Narciso; Also Santa Maria Novella Patchouli. Both were decants from kindly NSTers and I was able to roll one right into the other due to the patch throughline. Yesterday and today it’s been SL Rousse. I think my bottle is fading as I don’t get the cinnamon red hots upon application, it just shoots into a yummy honeyed fruity spicy dusky very Lutenesque vibe that doesn’t last too long, which is very unLutens-like especially for his older scents. But I can always respray. The holidays have zapped my brain, leaving too few brain cells to participate in the poll, But like LesLiesse, I really basked (and basked) yesterday in our first sunny, rain-free day in awhile, got outside, and ran with the dog, who was even more excited than me to kick up her heels on the trail. The soil in our local mountains is so sandy that it immediately absorbs the water except in ravines and it’s soooo lovely to hear water gushing through re-awakened streams that are bone-dry for much of the year.
No headache this morning, DeniseH. Thanks!
I’m glad all turned out well for your Christmas dinner. I had to laugh thinking about you driving the turkey elsewhere to cook. That’s dedicated thinking!
Thanks for the birthday wishes.
Happy your meal came out okay. I’m sure everyone enjoyed it.
Thanks for mentioning me, that was nice. I’m glad you had a good adventure with your dog!
Thank you.
Glad everything worked out in the end for your gathering!
Wow, what a stressful Christmas Eve! Glad everything worked out in the end and you made it through.
I live in Texas: Land of Drought and Floods so I can related. Glad everything came out ok.
Egads, what an adventure you had on Xmas Eve!
Troubles are troubles even if someone else’s are worse, right? Glad you managed to make a holiday meal anyway.
Electricity is always so fantastic when you get it back…I usually remember to appreciate it for maybe 20 minutes, then I forget.
Hey DeniseH, thank you for your kindness. And your troubles are valid (as Robin pointed out). One of my concerns during all these attacks on Ukraine is: will the duck in the freezer make to the 31st? 🫠
My fingers are crossed for the duck!
Having a day off and right now, I am taking it easy. I could be vacuuming but I don’t feel like doing it right now. Maybe in a half an hour. Still in Infusion d’iris. I didn’t realize how sweet it can be when the circumstances are right. After my shower, I will switch over to Feminite du Bois.
I hope you can take some time to put your feet up and relax today.
I too am contemplating vacuuming, but decided I could procrastinate, er, I mean better schedule it for tomorrow. 😆
Happy Sunday everyone.
I can’t decide between Gris Clair or something resinous, like DSH Inner Sanctum. It’s raining and very mild for this time of year, then temperatures drop 40+ degrees F tonight. Midwest weather whiplash.
I went to a perfume party irl last night. It was so much fun. Everyone was told to bring their favorites and there was everything from Disney princess body sprays to Xerjoff and Zoologist. I knew that fancy niche would be well represented, Nishane and Ex Nihilo, etc. so I took Imaginary Authors samples and Zoologist travel sprays. IA A Little Secret was a hit; one guest ordered a travel spray on the spot, which tickled me. I didn’t smell anything that I just have to have, which is nice since I’ve used up my perfume cash.
That sounds like fun!
It was!
Sounds like good smelling fun! I’ve never found a fancy niche perfume that I needed to have, thank goodness.
Me neither.
What a great time ringthing! Was everyone a perfumista or were there some newbies that were converted?
It was a nice mix. Some seasoned perfumeistas, some who wanted to try new things. People brought what they love, to share. One girl brought Michael Kors Sexy Amber, her name is Amber and that’s why she bought it, then she fell in love with it. 😉
It’s so fascinating at events like this, to see what everyone smells in a perfume, and how different the same perfume smells on different people.
I can see why people would like A Little Secret in a travel spray.
SOTD is Coco Noir.
Good day to stay home as we are having light snow and 30-50 mph winds. Typical South Dakota winter weather. It was in the 40’s yesterday and below zero with the wind chill today🤣
My snow comes tonight. Are you in the blizzard area? I’m currently in the advisory zone.
No, we are in an advisory. I actually went out to get coffee, and it wasn’t too bad. We only received about an inch of snow, but it is still blowing around quite a bit. I do see the sun peeking out.
Stay safe and warm Kris while you smell fabulous! How is Mr K’s dental recovery coming along?
Slowly, but better. Thanks for asking.
Please give him some NST get well wishes!
Will do!
Ugh, your Wind Chill sounds horrid! 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶
It’s chilly!
Happy belated birthday! 🥳
Thank you!
I’m back at work. It’s actually pretty slow so far. I have to go to the grocery store after work because of the upcoming snow storm. So far this month we’ve had a little over 20 inches of snow.
I’m wearing Armani Si from the purse stash. I’ve always liked this perfume. It’s cozy without being gourmond.
Stay safe lillyjo!
I thought of you last week, I found an affordable travel spray of Devotion and I am enjoying it very much. So you get another enabler pin to add to your collection 😉
Si is a nice scent.
Hope the snow misses you in the coming days
Hope the grocery store is an easy errand after work Lillyjo! Stay safe!
Hope that today was an easy day for you both at work and at the grocery store.
Hi everyone! It’s been a minute since I’ve had a chance to post, but I’ve been reading comments most days. I took a short trip to my parents’ house over the holidays, came back on the 25th since I had to work the 26th (ugh). We had a nice time with the relatives who were in town on the 24th, but gosh it was a lot of work setting everything up, decorating, cooking, cleaning! I told my parents we are NOT hosting next year, since they aren’t able to do as much of the work anymore and so it falls to moi.
Anyway, while I was home, I looked through my mom’s present drawer with her (which is now more like 10 drawers in two dressers), and found a bottle of Lancome Idole that someone must have given her and that she didn’t want. Mom isn’t a perfume person! So it’s mine now, and is my SOTD. If anyone would like a decant of this, let me know! I have 100mLs of it.
When I took my dog out this morning it was raining hard, but then it’s supposed to get really cold tonight so everything will freeze. What joy! At least we’re past the solstice now so the days are getting longer, slowly. I hope everyone’s having a relaxing weekend!
Nice to see you socks!
Nice to see you too, Kris!
Happy Holidays socks!
Happy Holidays to you too, LesLiesse!
Hiya socks! Welcome back!
Thanks Jalapeno! I was glad to hear you had a nice time with your brother :).
It is such an amazing amount of work even though we do share the cooking in my family. But since my mom’s traveling days are probably over, I’ll be doing it for the foreseeable future — she lives 15 minutes from me and everyone else is too far away to host.
Hope you can get someone else to take the burden next year!
Thanks Robin! It is so much work! Other people brought some food too, but the hosts always have a lot more stuff to do on top of cooking, don’t they? Next year there will be a ton of relatives in town over the holidays, so I’m thinking we should go out to eat instead! Maybe your family would be up for something like that too, if it gets to be too much?
It is not yet too much, it is just always a surprise how much preparation it takes just to get the house ready 🙂
Going out to eat sounds like a great idea though!
Happy Sunday NST!
Chilly and clear today. Sotd Cocoa Bliss plus sipping Rose Cocoa as a companion.
Going to the gym, making chicken stock because we ate up all our frozen homemade soup, then laundry.
Ooh, what is Rose Cocoa? That sounds delicious!
It’s by Clevr Blends (only 1 e in Clevr). It’s a vegan super latte. I went to give you a specific link, but apparently they’re sold out for winter (no surprise there on the cocoa).
Here’s the general link:
http://Www.clevrblends.com
Oh interesting, thanks for the link!
Bigarade Concentree since it was mentioned here recently and is a longtime favorite. Down to the last of my last travel spray.
It has poured here all day with flash flooding. We have water in both the attic and the basement. Yay.
Yikes! 🌊😭
Omg I’m very very sorry about the water above and below. Good luck drying everything out!
Oh, no! Sorry to hear this.
Oh dear, really sorry spiderplant!
Thanks for the sympathetic words. Not too bad overall; we rigged up fans to dry things out. A call to the roofers is definitely in order, though.
Belated happy birthday and so sorry for the flooding…hope things dry out quickly!
A strange ugly day today, with heavy rain, fog, drizzle, temps in the mid-50’s but plummeting to the low teens tonight! Went for a late brunch to our favorite local diner and now tucked in for the rest of the day. Last night we had a nice🔥and watched Elf, ❤️that one! Will probably watch something else tonight but the fireplace will be still, as howling winds are supposed to blow as the temps drop. 🥶
SOTD is TM Violette Angel, heavy, sweet and patchouli-laden, so just a few drops needed , anything more would be overwhelming. But very enjoyable in small doses.
Hope everyone is having an enjoyable Sunday!☮️❤️🤞
Violette Angel is gorgeous! Wish I would have tried it sooner.
My holiday movie viewing was quite truncated, so I quite enjoyed reading you watched Elf by a roaring fire! *living vicariously*
You smell fantastic Laila!
Wrapping up a week of work before heading off to the cold northeast to stay with my mother. I am in Kiehl’s musk, one of my first perfumes I bought when I started getting into perfume, more than 20 years ago, still a great musk.
Retrospective for 2025 purchases:
Favorite overall – Vanagloria, such a great smoky vanilla, if it were cooler here, I would wear this more often
Biggest splurge – FM Acne Studio, dipping my toe into the world of aldehydes but I get some abstract floral from it. I went to a Frederic Malle boutique when I was traveling and just had to get something and it was the only one I had sampled before.
Most compliments – Byredo Blanche Absolu, from husband no less, nearly a first
Cheap thrill – VS Bare Sueded Vanilla
Unsniffed purchase – Mercedes Benz Club Black. Reminds me of Silky Woods. I like it, though a little redundant in the collection.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend, with all the weather going on.
Excellent overview Z2! I always enjoy reading recaps!
Same here, thanks Zephyr2!
Today I’m testing Sacred Santo from Sarah Horowitz, one of the samples I ordered recently in a fit of utter insanity. So far it’s nice, but so similar to Tam Dao that I can’t justify ordering more. In the past couple of days I’ve tested Brandt Everveil (not for me), Sorce Witchery (interesting, but won’t become a favorite), Hiram Green Ultra (a powerhouse, will take more testing when I’m brave enough), Tada Parfumeur Nocturnal Noir (very nice, will test further for sure), Fzotic Deixis (yummy), and Courreges Seconde Peau (my favorite of this batch of madness). Yet to try is PdE Madagascar Le Baume Vanille — pretty sure I’m going to at least like that one.
Are you thinking of getting more Deixis? It seems to sell out oh so quickly whenever it’s in stock.
Yeah, it’s backordered at LuckyScent right now. I don’t know if I’ll order more … I have so many amber fragrances as it is. But I do love the Fzotics … hmm. Watch this space, I guess. 🙂
I’ve been stalking a travel size at Fzotic’s website for a while now.
Always happy to hear when someone likes Courreges! I was reading up on Fzotic because I’m contemplating an Ummagumma Extra purchase. Deixis inteigues me as well.
The Courreges I’m sampling is very understated … possibly the most minimalist scent I’ve ever tried. It’s intriguing to think of wearing a scent that only I will know I’m wearing. The other thing I learned from this sample is that pine notes and Iris notes can be very similar! They share a certain papery-ness that is subtle and beautiful.
Accidentally posted under Jalapeno’s post – reposting here:
Not much time to post the last few days – lots of family/friends stopping by and often at mealtimes. They do bring something (like drinks) which is much appreciated but I do think if you have lots of dietary restrictions, it’s extra appreciated if you bring some kind of food that you *can* eat. Just saying. Despite minor annoyances, it’s been great to see folks.
Anyway, I’ve been wearing Theorema, Lost Cherry, and Santal Complet mostly with a few other interesting samples sprinkled in: Armani Prive Santal Dan Sha and SL Cuir Mauresque for two of those.
Looking forward to watching Shetland Season 10 which is about to air on Britbox (1/1/26) or so I’ve read.
They’re still doing Shetland seasons! I loved that show and watched on PBS. Might have to weaken and get Britbox.
Hang in there, SP! I am still making my way through old Brokenwood Mysteries seasons. Excellent point about bringing food you *can* eat. 😅
The predicted weekend snow event for Colorado’s Front Range was a big bust. There was only a dusting of snow this morning on roofs and vehicles. Streets and sidewalks were clear. And by 10:30 this morning, even the dusting was gone.
But dang, it was COLD this morning! My weather apps said it was between 15 and 19 degrees F. Teflon kitty was sleeping in bed with me this morning for a few hours.
Forgot to mention that I had a Zoom call with some friends on Christmas Day. Had a lot of fun with that. We had sent gifts beforehand, and unwrapped our goodies during the call.
Washing more dishes this afternoon. I’ve also vacuumed the apartment. Might get a load of laundry done as well.
SOTD = back in A Little Secret. It’s also cold enough to be wearing the Bum Bum Cream on my shins.
Glad the storm was a bust. Snuggling with Teflon kitty sounds dreamy!
Colorado really, really needs the snow. 80 percent of our water comes from snowpack. So if it’s low, that’s a bad sign for the coming year.
Teflon snuggles are awesome! 😻
80% wow!
On Colorado’s behalf I’m singing “Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow!”
Opening presents together over Zoom sounds like a fun way to enjoy the surprises together when you’re far apart! Fingers crossed for more snow for y’all.
It was fun! Getting to see reactions to gifts is one of the best parts of Xmas for me.
Vacuuming is my alternative ab workout — amazing how effective it is.
I must not be vacuuming hard enough! That Dyson does a lot of the work for me.
Happy Monday (the last one this year)!
I am very touched by all your kind words regarding Ukraine. We can only hope for better.
I made myself a present of a second power station – a smaller one, mostly for my monitor, so I can keep the big one for heating. The new one also works as a UPS, so it’s quite nice that when the power goes out, my monitor just keeps working. It might also be useful for hot water in summer, especially if I decide to buy a battery expansion.
We’ve had plenty of snow and even a bit of sun this morning.
Regarding my SOTD, I’m going to match Cloud Dancer this week – I do like “white” scents, so even if this color is controversial, it works for me as a CP. The only deviation will be on Wednesday – I plan to wear something richer and more colorful for New Year’s Eve.
Today I am in Hermessence Cuir d’Ange, which is not really a white scent, but the texture and mood are right. It feels airy and cloud-like and conveys a sense of serenity and tranquility.
Happy Monday Glannys!
Yes, great match and would not have thought of it!
I’m wearing Chanel 5 Leau and a Chanel lipstick.
I’m waking up to chai tea.
Tonight, I’m going to watch a hockey game and then out to dinner before.
I hope everyone is surviving the holidays or enjoying them. I feel like it goes either way with some people.
Hockey! It’s my favorite sport.
Oh!!
Having some winter weather right now and it’s not supposed to stop until 1 pm tomorrow. Since I am working today and tomorrow, I am not exactly happy with that. We have already had two situations where the power went off and after 5 minutes, then came back on. I am debating on if I should wear Cheirosa 62 or Infusion d’iris for the next 2 days.
Sounds like you need a “Keep Calm and Carry On!” perfume.
Happy Last Monday of 2025!
Sotd Plink Monday here w Cra-Yon Caramel Days. A Floral fruity gourmand. Top notes are Italian Mandarin, Coconut and Orange; middle notes are Frangipani, Heliotrope and Jasmine; base notes are Ambroxan, Vanilla and Cacao. It’s lovely. After wearing it again all day, I’ll decide if it belongs in a FB list. Thank you Kanuka for enabling me on this house.
Lovestosmellgood mentioned she’s going to a hockey game. Finally started watching Heated Rivalry last night ight while during laundry. As a sports fan, there’s not enough hockey action for me 😆, but otherwise it shows a lot more nuance of the pressures on athletes even from well-meaning parents and teammates. I was trying to scent the two main characters in my mind. Are there any excellent French Canadian perfume houses?
Happy last Monday, LL!
For Xmas Eve, I didn’t go for a Shalimar but chose PdN Vanille Tonka which is very Christmas-y to my nose…to my nose it’s a dry amber w/ lots of citrus, cinnamon, tonka and, you guessed it, vanilla. 😉
You must have smelled delicious She-ra!
You smell good! I’m not familiar with your scent but it has all the notes I love, especially in cold weather.
Was reading too fast and saw “Pink Monday” instead of “Plink Monday”.
As to French-Canadian perfumers, there’s LVNEA which I recently stumbled upon during the Great Forest Quest. They are super nice people, and they have respect for ritual, which is big in my life.
SG, I just adore that you called it the Great Forest Quest! Sounds like the opening to a lyric poem! I’ll keep LVNEA in mind as I try to figure out what the Shane character would wear. Ilya was easy -TF ombre Leather 18, he’s definitely smoke, leather and $$$. Shane is more enigmatic.
Sampling L’Amour Pourpre today…a lavender amber mix…nice but mostly unremarkable. I believe “nice but mostly unremarkable” represents more than half of new releases I try. 😇
Sampling is an awful lot like gambling…you never know when the reward is coming. 😈 I often think I have no interest in gambling but sampling follows a variable ratio reward system too. 🧐
She-ra, I have had those exact same thoughts about gambling/sampling! I would say that I would not be interested in owning full bottles of the majority of what I sample. Still, the hunt is just so addicting.
I’m the opposite of you with sampling. I get overwhelmed sometimes.
“Nice but unremarkable” sure beats “ZOMG, the scrubber from Hades!!”
It feels like another weekend day here, there is little traffic on the streets and it’s very quiet. I’m doing household chores today, wearing Ajmal Purely Orient: Santal. It’s a good intro oud, not bandaid or blue cheese-ish. I’m pleased to say that Dapper the cat and Tiptoe the new kitty are playing together. There is a lot of hiding behind doors and playing “whack-a-paw” or lying in wait to jump out when one or the other goes by. Tiptoe is half the size of Dapper and very fast and agile so he often doesn’t catch her when they run. Scout, my old lady cat, ignores them both unless they disturb her naps.
Good news on the kittys burgeoning relationships, May they continue well!🤞
Aww… Whack-a-paw is so cute.
Old lady cats are awesome!
It’s raining and 11C (50F) which is hardly inspiring for mid-summer. I wear a wristwatch every day and so far there is no indication of a tan line despite the time I spend outdoors every day. We re-watched Fritz Lang’s 1945 Scarlet Street yesterday, such a grim ending to a grim movie. Edward G Robinson is terrific as the cashier/ artist who gets played by the scheming couple. I’m wearing Grand Chalet today
That seems much too cold for Summer!
You smell lovely in spite of your unseasonably wet and cold weather☔️
I’m catching up on comments and had to say that you really feel for Edward G. Robinson in Scarlet Street. It’s a good movie.
I have today off, and am staying cozy at home. In this week’s episode of ” what did lillyjo find in her basement” I am cleaning off an old bookcase ( that my father made in high-school) so my son can use it in his room. In with some books was a late fee notice from Blockbuster! $6.00 due by December 2002. Lol!
My cousin, on the other hand told me today that she found $500.00 in her house. More LOL! I wanted to say “trade ya!?”
Anyway.. I am wearing TF Violet Blonde. I’m trying to woo Mother Nature into thinking spring!
I wanted to tell you I went to the SAS at BBW today. I planned to get Brown Sugar & Fig products and when I smelled them, which I hadn’t for years, I realized I didn’t care for them anymore. Good thing I did try them because I almost didn’t Weird how things smell different at different times of your life. Anyway, I ended up getting some of the Pearberry because I have a Jo Malone pear scent. I’ll see how they go together.
When I sniffed Brown Sugar and Fig, I thought it didn’t smell quite as I remembered. I really wanted to try the gingerbread one but my store didn’t have it.
I would LOVE finding a bookcase that my Dad had made back in the day. But he never did any projects like that.
Instead he partially finished the basement in the last house my family ever owned.
My Dad really didn’t do woodworking. I think this is just from shop class. It is special though.
LOL
My brother and I were the ones who took Wood Shop class in junior high. I made a lamp and a spice rack. My brother made a nightstand.
If nothing else, you smell fantastic!
Glad to be home today, temps only in the teens today with a thin layer of snow and a cold wind.🥶. Staying warm wrapped in one of my winter favorites, Guerlain AA Winter Delice layered over BBW’s Gingerbread Latte body products for an added touch of sweetness. I love everything about the Winter Delice, starting with its evocative French name, beautiful bottle, and fir and pine notes layered over a sugary vanilla bottom. Mmm good!
We watched The Holdovers last night, a beautiful and touching Christmas film. Not sure what’s on tap for tonight but for right now it’s reading my 📖 along with 😻😽😸and enjoying a ☕️ of tea.
Happy Monday!☮️❤️🤞
How is the gingerbread latte?
It’s a prominent gingerbread with a touch of orange, sweet brown sugar and vanilla. I like it at this time of year when I enjoy gourmand fragrances when it’s cold outside. But ‘latte’ is a misnomer as there’s no coffee note in here, if that’s what one is looking for.
I think “latte” being being used as marketing speak for something that is milky and sweet. After all, chai lattes and matcha lattes exist.
Temperatures are feeling seasonal today. That won’t last long, though. It’s supposed to be 60 here for NYE! My brother will appreciate the warm up, though, since he’s going back on shift New Year’s Day. Teflon kitty does, too. She is not a fan of Winter’s chill. 😾
But I just know that a Polar Vortex is lurking for January or February.
Not at all inspired at the moment by Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year. I will have to do some more thinking on Friday’s CP.
SOTD = still in IA’s A Little Secret. 🍒 That sample is getting low; I can tell even though the vial is completely opaque. It’s starting to sputter instead of spray.
Didn’t we just have a polar vortex event over Thanksgiving?
No fair double dipping! It should just be once a winter.
You might have had a Polar Vortex, but it missed Colorado. We only had the edge of it. I haven’t had to drip my faucets yet. That seems to be an annoying fact of winter life here.