It’s the last Tuesday of 2025, plus National Bacon Day, the sixth day of Christmas (geese a-laying) and the fifth day of Kwanzaa (Nia: purpose). Birthdays: Rudyard Kipling, Paul Bowles, Bo Diddley and Patti Smith. What fragrance are you wearing?
I'm wearing Chopard Néroli à la Cardamome du Guatemala. Tea at the moment is a blend of Bombay Breakfast and Hao Ya Select Keemun, both from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Co.
Reminder: on 1/2, wear a fragrance to match Cloud Dancer, Pantone's color of the year for 2026 (or, wear something that matches the description). "A Whisper of Tranquility and Peace in a Noisy World. Introducing Pantone Color of the Year 2026, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. A billowy white imbued with serenity, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation." (More reading: A minimalist statement or just Pantonedeaf? ‘Cloud dancer’ shade of white named Pantone’s 2026 colour of the year at The Guardian, Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year Is ‘Cloud Dancer’ at The New York Times, Pantone’s colour of the year 2026 divides opinion amid mounting social media backlash at Cosmetics Business.)
And for those of you who like to plan ahead, see Scent of the day ~ Friday community projects 2026, where I'll try (but usually fail) to have the next five or six weeks mapped out in advance.
Note: the Cloud Nine teapot by 224 ("The series "Cloud Nine" was created with the image of the beautiful cumulonimbus clouds seen in late summer") is $65 at Lune Noir in Los Angeles.
Waking up to frigid temps and hot chai, homemade.
LesLiesse, I am looking for those Rivals books here, and they are all sold out. I want to read the books before I watch the series.
SheriG, the Junior World Hockey champs is on now, I am not sure they are streaming in the US, even though it takes place in the US.
Last night we saw a local hockey team play and there was a lot of action and fighting.
Chanel Leau
Decades ago I had season tickets to the local junior hockey team’s games, and I loved watching them live. TV coverage frustrates me because the camera never seems to be pointed at what I want to observe (usually the defensemen rather than the showy front-line) … and the puck is so tiny on a tv screen. As to the fighting, I recall one game when a particularly dramatic scuffle broke out — the two players stopped, eyed each other for a second, then simultaneously threw their gloves in the air and went at it. It was hilariously cartoonish and over quickly, of course.
SG, points taken. I searched my cable provider for Junior Worlds and none were listed. I hear you on the tv coverage. Having gone to a game with a rabid Detroit fan, the game is exhilarating in person. Tv doesn’t do it justice.
This story about the hockey players staring each other down is amazing
This series gives me an entire deeper appreciation of the role the eyes play in love and lust.
LTSG, as Ted Lasso ignited football/soccer love in the U.S., Heated Rivalry make have that effect with hockey. Finished the 6-episode S1. Renewed for S2 already. I recommend it. My complaint was not enough hockey 😆.
I will get my hands on those books
Good Morning NST! I’m sampling Altamura from Bertrand Duchaufour’s L’Entropiste line, which I approached with low expectations due to how crazy busy and overstretched he always is. But it was an excellent surprise as it contains two of my favorite notes – orange and incense. (Incense is obviously one of *his* faves too). It’s also got a little Cointreau and amber thrown in. Duchaufour also did Messe de Minuit (another fave of mine) and this reminds me a bit of Messe, which also has a lovely orange scent. But Altamura subtracts the patchouli and most of the spice and amps up the incense. I really like it. But do I like it $330 worth? Probably not. We’ll see.
Very unfairly, our New Year’s Eve and the following Day will be pouring rain, just as it was on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In between we’ve had lovely sun and blue skies. I worry about everyone who will be out on the roads on New Year’s Eve. We Angelenos are terrible drivers in storms because we don’t get enough practice with water-drenched roads and don’t slow down enough. Hubs & I will stay home and watch a movie and I’ll make some kind of spicy dish to ring in the year. Our dog hates the fireworks so much, but maybe they’ll be ‘dampened’ this year.
Altamura sounds wonderful to me…I would like MdM better with less patchouli. But I am done trying new things for the most part 🙂
Sorry about the crappy holiday weather! We are just looking at more COLD, I really can’t remember such a cold December.
Thank you for your views on Altamura. I’ve been looking at the Entropiste line with some interest, but like you I’m not impressed with the price.
Our dollar went so much further when I first went down the perfume rabbit hole.
Yes indeed the prices are ridiculous. Years ago we would have laughed at such prices for niche and said no way! Now I just wail. Maybe that’s why every niche firm offers the sampler set these days, so people can try first and they can still make some $$.
DH, I know it’s so disappointing about the weather! I’m still dressing up and will be going door to door with our neighbors toasting the new (better 🙏🙏🙏) year! Sometimes living in a high rise makes life easier!
Oh that sounds like lots of fun. & no getting wet and worrying about driving home. May 2026 bring you all good things, LesLiesse.
A beautiful 2026 to you too DeniseH !
Yesterday was beautiful, all the snow on the mountions, clear to Mt. Baldy.
I agree, hopefully fewer fireworks for all the pups and kittehs.
A beautiful 2026 to you too DeniseH!
Oopsie, double post! Yes apsara, a more peaceful start to 2026 for all!
The last few days in LA have been spectacular enough to make up for the holiday downpours. My 84 year old mom visiting from SF loved the view from the Academy Museum terrace. Snowy Mt. Baldy was glowing in the east. Mom smelled great too, in her Christmas gift of Aqua Allegoria Rosa Verde.
MR that view is spectacular! Glad you two got to make a memory appreciating it together.
I bought the sample set for L’Entropiste (or samples from somewhere?) expecting bold scents along the lines of Timbuktu. Instead, they are just refined and wearable. I was so surprised! I had the same reaction to the the subtlety of Lyn Harris’s Perfumer H, compared with her perfumes for Miller Harris, such as geranium bourbon.
I was kind of expecting perfumers to go crazy with their own brands, but I guess they feel an even greater pressure to make something that is commercially viable, hence, wearable.
Either that or times have changed for them, too.
Yeah, it is more like working for other brands hones their sense of what works and what sells.
I am in VC&A Gardenia Petale – this is definitely minimalist, in line with Cloud Dancer. Clean, airy gardenia – too bad I can barely smell it.
Is that because you have a cold or is it a fleeting perfume? I didn’t read all of the weekend comments so I missed it but if you are ill, I hope you’re feeling better soon.
Thank you for your concern! No, I’m not ill. I might be partially anosmic to this scent, or maybe it performs better in spring or summer. I get a pretty citrusy white floral at the start, and then nothing.
Being anosmic is a really weird sensation. I’ve had it happen a few times.
Ha, barely being able to smell it seems in line with Cloud Dancer…points for you, no points for the fragrance.
Wearing Cheirosa 62 for work today. Today will be the last day I work for 2025 and won’t go back until Friday. Just got to get through work today since higher ups are supposed to come today.
Good luck with the muckity mucks Dawn!
Robin, you are so gifted when it comes to finding perfect teapots for Teapot Tuesdays. This one is very unique!
I’m wearing L’Orpheline today which to me encourages true relaxation and focus.
It’s sunny through filmy clouds with lake effect snow, which is very light and sparkly. Pretty for a quiet day.
Ooh, I think L’Orpheline is a good choice for the CP. I’m glad you have pretty snow. So much of it has been causing disasters in various parts of the country.
Isn’t that an unusual teapot? It’s porcelain but still looks like I would break it.
I love it, too! The last thing I need is another teapot, but I am noticing this line also has small handleless teacups and little food dishes shaped like clouds… those might be more versatile easier to find storage space for. 😻
The food dishes are adorable.
In PdN Poudre de Musc–aldehydes and white florals align somewhat with Cloud Dancer.
I think that’s perfect, it’s exactly the sort of thing the images remind me of.
The last reasonably dry day of the year here in Los Angeles – as DeniseH mentioned, we’re bracing for lots more rain. We’ve said yes to a NYE party out in Topanga, and I’m a bit nervous about the drive to and from. There’s no chance we’ll make it to midnight, so maybe traffic will be light on the way home.
With my daughter here, it was an especially lovely Christmas week. Xmas perfume presents were plentiful; I’d asked for and was happy to be given Vaniglia from Santa Maria Novella. I like it so much I might do a week of vanilla-centric fragrances.
I took chances with my gift giving; I know it’s very risky/unwise to give perfumes to people if they haven’t smelled them, but I sort of enjoy the uncertainty of how they’ll be received. I gave my daughter a bottle of Rochas Femme, (a favorite of mine,) which I’m not sure she liked at first sniff. I told her to give it a few chances, or even a few years, but as much as she loves a cumin note, Femme might not be a great match for her. The perfume evangelist in me is hoping for a conversion, but it may take time. Far more exciting for her was a bottle of Avignon from Comme des Garçons. She adores it. Phew. And she loves the Frederic Malle Cafe Society candle I got her, too.
I think I challenged her fiancé even more, with Aoud Cuir D’Arabie from Montale. Amazingly, he loves it, and so does my daughter. And I kept pushing the envelope with a bottle of Swiss Arabian Mukhalat Malaki for them to share. (Who’s going to challenge these kids if not their elders?😉) That one might be a bit intense for their noses, but, hey, at least the bottle is pretty. Again, I told them to give it time. At first sniff, it reminded my daughter of the magical semester she spent in India, so maybe she’ll come around to it.
Also a hit was Lalique’s Encre Noire – I gave it to my future son-in-law’s younger brother. Everyone in the room loved that one, which is no surprise – it’s perfect.😊
You’ve put so much thought into this – even if the recipients don’t like these specific perfumes, you’ve surely shown them the possibilities.
Be safe, Daniel. Maybe there will be a break in the rain. And what an amazing line-up of goodies you gave your family. Wow, I’m impressed.
Daniel, thank you for these entrancing fragrance stories throughout the year! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all. You’ve made these wondrous scents come alive in a unique way for each individual experiencing them. I want a mini-series of perfume adventures with you! Your thoughtfulness in selecting gifts for your family stands out in a year when I seemed to experience disappointment from the receiver for any gift that wasn’t a gift card. That part of me respects your bravado in selecting scents for your family. Stay safe on that road to Topanga!
You gave someone a gift and they showed disappointment? Shame on them. They should be grateful they were even thought of.
Some younger folks have not mastered the art of masking disappointment. I do try to give people what they want, but sometimes it feels like an ATM visit rather than a gift expressing individuality and love.
Lovely gifts all around, Daniel.
Do be careful around Topanga.
That is an impressive scented gift list! I will say that some of my desert island perfumes were not love at first sniff for me. So a shift in appreciation is possible.
Drive safe tomorrow!
Be safe Daniel! If it’s too bad, stay home.
I’m always surprising my loved ones with new to them fragrances, with mixed success. But this year my 23 year old son surprised me with a pristine little bottle of Guerlain’s Mitsouko extrait from 1988! It’s in great shape, although I’m probably the only one in the family to think it smells good.
SOTM is Courreges Seconde Peau, which definitely meets this week’s CP. It also fits the forest theme I’ve been chasing these past few weeks — LVNEA’s Holy Oak still wins overall, and Idyllwild will always be my no-brainer woodsy favorite, but Seconde Peau’s minimalist, airy forest is really, really lovely. It and Boswellia Scotia are my magical fairy forest scents.
Meanwhile, I warily tested Hiram Green Ultra again last night. It’s a gorgeous narcissus bomb, more akin to Nicolai’s Le Temps d’Une Fête than Fzotic’s Au Delà Narcisse, and a tiny droplet is plenty so the sample I have will do for the foreseeable future.
Is Sotm scent of the month? Moment? Momentous occasion?
Thank you for these entrancing fragrance joy of your forest quest SG! I so enjoyed going along for the ride. Next month I will check out LVNEA to see if I can decide which scent Shane Hollander would wear from Heated Rivalry. 🥳
It’s “scent of the morning”, at least for me. 🙂
Pardon me, only 4.5 hrs of sleep last night. Sotm as in morning?
I am liking the sound of HG Ultra!
Sampling Francesca Bianchi Once Upon a Time today and notes are below. I like it so far. Reviews on Fragrantica say it’s similar to her previous works and/or too derivative of perfumes she’s already done. I actually have not sniffed most of this line and/or don’t remember it if I did…so not unlike a very old NBC tagline…If you haven’t seen it, it’s new to you. 😆
r, Musk, Castoreum, Vanilla, Candied Almonds, Candy Cotton
My copy paste failed…here are all notes
Notes: Mandarin, Pink Pepper, Musk, Castoreum, Vanilla, Candied Almonds, Candy Cotton
That sounds like it fits its name!
Good morning! Despite being on holiday when I should have a lot more time, I’ve still got lots of comments to catch up on. I hope everyone in the Northern Hemisphere is surviving the cold.
It’s a good thing that I have an indoor hobby like sewing to keep me busy over the summer holiday. The weather is horrible. We’re visiting friends tonight for New Year’s Eve, and I don’t think I’ll be wearing a summery party dress – more like coat and boots! Perfume-wise, I’m thinking about something warming, maybe Amber Absolutely from Fort and Manle.
That is a bummer…someone, somewhere should be having great weather!
Happy birthday to Patti Smith! I’ll put on some of her music later today. I also enjoy her books — she seems like a very grounded, wise woman.
SOTD is Amado Mio. Over the last few days, I have been trying the 3 Antonio Alessandria perfumes (Gattopardo, Amado Mio, and Dies Aurorae) that I got samples of for Christmas. Luca Turin had great things to say, and I wanted to try them in Sicily but didn’t have time for Catania. So far, I think Gattopardo is the standout, but last night I was in Dies Aurorae, and I respect it. I’m not sure I need a hazelnut almond incense in my collection, and it didn’t make sense to me until I read the story behind it, and unlike most BS in perfume writing this one actually explains the perfume. In general I’d say his perfumes are really well structured. LT likes Amado Mio because he reins in some of the more questionable things that a big rose can do, and I’d say that’s true…but the boozy rose only lasts for about two minutes before a somewhat plasticky note comes out on me, possibly the cedar, which doesn’t always agree with me. Gattopardo has been lovely.
It’s been an Italian-ish Christmas. I just ordered some Mendittorosa samples, as I didn’t have time to visit them in Naples and in Palermo my time was limited and the store was far away from the sights. I’ve also got the AbdesSalaam perfumery bases kits to try, on LT’s recommendation. Just opening that box is heavenly.
Kafka liked AbdesSalaam as well. I wonder how she’s doing?
Yeah, I hope she’s well! Mr. Ockeghem has a couple small bottles of his scents from…over a decade ago? I liked both…which is why I bought them for him. 🙂 I gather from Luca Turin’s blog that he’s doing more custom work and education these days, rather than new scents.
A “hazelnut almond incense”? Hmmmmmmmm. Can’t quite picture it.
It was novel. 🙂 After I read the story it made more sense, but I’m not sure I need to own it.
I’m wearing Bombay Bling today, such a cheerful and fun scent. It’s sunny and a little bit warm, 50F, so I will go outside in a bit for some fresh air.
That’s a wonderful perfume, enjoy.
SOTD = Fzotic Creosote
I’m in the anti-2026 Pantone Color of the Year because I just can’t …
In other news, the cousin’s get-togethers (I’ve lost track of how many) continue to delight. This past Sunday, we had a buffet lunch with 21 peeps, then we all split AND then got together again for an impromptu hoagie dinner! I am happy to say I had fun and did not overeat!
Tomorrow is a cousin’s birthday and my aunt is throwing her a dinner at a restaurant and then we’re all going to this aunt’s house to ring in the new year. The pandoro I ordered from Amazon has not yet arrived and I went ahead and got a bottle of Baileys Espresso in case my mid-afternoon deadline tomorrow for its arrival does not pan out. I also now have the perfect gifts for my aunt – 2 boxes of Keurig coffee!
In case I don’t post tomorrow, have a great new year and “smell” you on the other side 🎉!
You’ve had some good eatin lately! Happy Birthday to your cousin and Happy New Year!
Thanks lillyjo!
Do you like Creosote? I’m so intrigued by the idea behind it.
It was a big sample purchase and I really do like it! It has a petrichor-like smell to it, at least to my nose. If you don’t have Ummagumma Exxxtra 😇, I may send you a package. Please email me when you get a chance.
That Pantone color for 2026 has all the appeal of a Wonder Bread and Miracle Whip sandwich.
Enjoy all those cousinly get togethers!
Thanks. Totally agree with you on the description!
Ikea’s color for 2026 is a fun barbie-ish pink, Benjamin Moore did a very dark grey-brown-black that I like even less than Cloud Dancer. Sherwin Williams picked “Universal Khaki” which might be my least favorite of all the choices.
Thank you for the update. I’ve gotten a lot of mileage on NYE making small talk about the Color of the year. Safer than politics and more interesting than the weather.
Great that you can converse about Pantone colors. In these here parts, I would just get a blank look.
Oy! Interesting facts! I almost feel like there should be some kind of virtual challenge for choosing the best or worst color ever. As for me, any variation of green except kelly green will be my choice.
Happy Last Tuesday of 2025!
Sotd- Z Coffee Gourmand to wake ups
Sote- FM Iris Poudre to calm and luxuriate in fragrance and friendship
Enjoyed reading about Paul Bowles. What an artistic life, even his sex/love life. Trying to track down Merce Cunningham’s dance version of his music inspired by Gabriel Garcia Lorca’s poetry and arranged by Leonard Bernstein.
The Sheltering Sky is one of my favorite books (hat tip to Kanuka)
Also a great movie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sheltering_Sky_(film)
On my to read list.
Been kind of melancholy for the last week of 2025. It hasn’t been the best of years for me, but it certainly wasn’t the worst, either.
🤗
You can’t beat Fragrance and friendship!
🥂🍾
So chilly and rainy as the other LA folks have written. I can’t be too sad about it as I love our Pacific storms and am glad we are not facing what we did last January 8 when the fires broke out.
Went out to bring in the trash cans – that’s it. Back to the ongoing office cleanout.
Bottle of JM Sandalwood & Apricot Spice arrived last night.
Enabler pin to hajuusurri. It’s quite stunning on first spray. Let’s see how it wears through the remainder of the day.
Been tempted by the descriptions of JM Sandalwood & Apricot Spice here at NST.
I have too.
It’s a good one!
Did you like it?
4160 Tuesdays Eau de Soul today. It is amber and softly rich. Turns out there are like 25 notes – i don’t personally smell all of them, but i am more of a vibes person than a notes person.
I also tried 4160 Doe in the Snow, which was sharper and didn’t smell great on me.
4160 Tuesdays is super hit and miss for me. Maybe 1/10 works. But the brand is so charming that i keep trying!
The one I had luck with was Both Sides of Clouds.
Very cold today with just a few snow flurries. Ran a few much-needed errands earlier and glad to be home now. SOTD is SL La Fille de Berlin and I’m enjoying its jammy yet spicy rose with patchouli on the bottom.
Chicago is really excited to be part of Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve for the first time, and I’ve really enjoyed watching all the preparations which the local news has featured prominently. Looking forward to watching the event on TV tomorrow but in the meantime, Happy New Year’s Eve Eve! 🥳🥳
How fun about DC rocking new year’s eve! I’m glad they still use his name.
I loved the guy!
I am kind of surprised that Chicago hasn’t been part of Dick Clark’s Rockin’ NYE before.
We always had our own that was interspersed on the same channel as the DC one but just broadcast here, so apparently Chicago will now be an integral part of the program this year and everyone is hyped for it. Should be fun!
I just took down the Christmas tree. I also have 1 bag and 1 box ready for donation. I might try and do one more bag before I take them in.
Another day, another advisory here.
I went perfume sniffing at Ulta. I tried the new Coach something, which if cheap enough would be good for summer ( beachy)
I also tried the new Alien and liked it, and the new Dior Addict trio. I liked the violet one. They don’t smell anything like Addict.
My official sotd is Samsara edp. I should wear this more often!
Yes to more Samsara, especially if you have the red bottle!
Thanks for the rundown on the new Addict trio. I was curious about the pink one and the purple/violet one.
The violet one is really nice. It has a bit of a lipstick smell but is bright and powdery. The peach one reminded me of a peach bodyspray from the 90’s. I actually liked that one too but not for the price. I could not smell the rose one much at all, but will sample again.
You smell great. I inherited one from a swap!
You smell great. I inherited one from a swap!
Running the dishwasher again this afternoon. It’s been getting loaded and unloaded a lot this week. Sure beats having all those dirty dishes hanging around, though.
Xmas lights are staying up until January 6. They will come down on January 7. Some places here in Colorado keep their lights up until the end of The National Western Stock Show, which takes place in mid January. It’s a big deal. Despite that, I have never attended.
Teflon kitty had a rambunctious episode of “run around the apartment like a crazy thing” this afternoon. Felt really good to see her being active like that. It’s going to be just me and her for NYE and New Year’s Day. My brother goes back on shift tomorrow night.
I might have a couple of ideas for the CP.
SOTD = still in A Little Secret. I am probably going to thunk that sample.
I was too busy to set up my tree so far. Maybe I will have time on New Years Day and then join you in keeping it up until after January 6. 😺
I haven’t set up a Xmas tree since I got cats. But there has been a hybrid cat condo/Christmas tree making the rounds on YouTube and TikTok this year.
That’s great TK is pepping up!
😽
We shall see how she deals with the rest of winter. Maybe I will set out another kitty heating pad if it gets really bad.
Good news about Teflon kitty!
I think she is much happier with the warmer temperatures.
We take our Christmas decorations down after Epiphany but have many winter decorations we leave up for most of January, especially the white lights. January is such a dark and depressing and long winter month I really wish more people would light the nights longer.
I would like to keep my lights up later, but the lease agreement says that holiday lights and decorations have to come down rather quickly.
Yay for TL !
I do need to try that A Little Secret! That said, I read an article the other day about a homeowners’ association (or something like that) at a military residential neighborhood where there are STRICT rules about when to put up / take down holiday decors – a killjoy in my opinion.
Not sure I’ll be here Friday, so I’ll just go ahead and say that to me the perfect white cloud perfume is Frederic Malle Eau d’Hiver.
A Lab On Fire California Snow would be another contender.
Great picks for Friday!
That really is a great pick!