9/17/15
Pumpkin?
YES. PUMPKIN. YES. If it smells, tastes, or looks like pumpkin, I'll probably like it.
Booze?
I don't really drink much normally, and since I'm still nursing right now, I'm choosing not to drink until she weans.
Want anything from Yellowstone? Be it postcards, key chains, shot glasses, pint glasses, or huckleberry what have you?
I like postcards, and I've never had huckleberry anything, but I wouldn't mind trying it. Partly just because I just love the word huckleberry.
9/18/15
I know there is a question about "decorating style", but if you're comfortable, could you should us some photos of your spaces? For those of us who like to art and craft, it can be nice to have a visual sense of decorating style!
We've been living in our house for a few weeks, but the movers just brought the majority of our stuff this past weekend, so it's kind of a mess of boxes and bins right now. I'll try to post pics once things have been neatened up a bit, if you like. And of course I rambled on about our paint colors in my questionnaire. (<--Look, I spelled it right!)
9/19/15
For those of you who don't drink alcohol, can you specify if you live with any drinkers or ever have alcohol on hand for guests, vs. abstaining and preferring not to have it around at all?
DH doesn't drink often. If he does, it's just a beer. And if we have anyone over, we'll buy beer or wine at that point. We just have a dusty bottle or two lurking somewhere, but they rarely see daylight.
Are you a fan of the TV show Penny Dreadful?
No, but I keep hearing about it and I wouldn't mind trying it at some point. I don't really know what it's about, just that a lot of people on my FB friends list love it. Ditto Welcome to Nightvale (Night Vale?) although I do know that's scary and I think maybe scary in a way that would appeal to me, i.e., Lovecrafty/existentially weird/slyly humorous.
What are your coffee and tea preferences? Do you prefer one, the other, both, or neither (and if it's neither, what about things like hot cider and cocoa)? Loose leaf or bags, whole bean or ground? Is caffeine OK? Any gadgetry you're in need of? Any brands or flavors that you particularly love, loathe, or want to try?
All of the above, but I love coffee most. In terms of format, I used to be mildly snobby, I would grind my beans and make a French press pot every time I wanted a mug. Then I needed something faster, so I switched back to a regular old drip coffeemaker. And recently, I decided I needed something even faster and caffeine-deprived-idiot-proof so we bought a Keurig. We also had $155 in Best Buy rewards coupons, so we got a big bells-and-whistles model for about $35 out of pocket, woohoo. But oh, how the snobby have fallen lol. But FWIW, I do love trying different things that come in K-cups. And I like black tea, white tea, herbal "tea" infusions, and blends. I'm not crazy about green tea or rooibos, or anything with more floral flavors (lavender, rose, violet) or too much fruit. Like, apple cinnamon or orange spice are good, but otherwise I prefer tea to taste like tea.
What's your sense of humor like? Do you enjoy puns? Play on words? Dirty humor? Dry humor? Who are some of your favorite comedians?
I'm fluent in sarcasm, but I also like somewhat silly stuff. My favorite "cheer up" movie is Hot Fuzz, which has a lot of both. (And if you've seen it, my favorite line in that movie is "Owwww. This…really…huuuurts." I crack up every time and DH shakes his head at me.) Also, when we watch The Princess Bride, "Anybody want a peanut?" makes me laugh every time. Fezzik is just so chill, but you can tell he's enjoying driving Vizzini crazy.
Do you like board games? If so, which ones? Traditional or more unique? (like Settlers of Catan, Small World, Red Dragon Inn, etc)
I like them, but we never play them because it's usually just me and DH. (Emma is still too young.)
Is there anything that you specifically do NOT want to receive?
As everyone else has said, decorations with hanging strings or swallow-able pieces are a problem because we have cats, but also because we have a little person.
Plain or fun socks?
OKAY. I LOVE SOCKS. I love cute socks, funny socks, plain socks, fuzzy socks, warm socks, toe socks. I love socks. Fuzzy are my favorite, but I love all socks.
Name one (or as many as you would like) thing you would like to learn more about?
Well, one of the reasons we bought our house is that it's on an acre of land and I have always wanted a garden. Now, of course, I'm second guessing myself like crazy because I've bought a couple of gardening books (a Better Homes & Gardens and one specific to the Midwest) and sometimes I don't even know wtf they're talking about.
Also, I own a sewing machine but I have no idea how to use it, so I'd love to learn more about that. But I'm like the dumbest of the dumb when it comes to stuff like that. I may have to take a class and have someone actually point to things and tell me YOU PUT HAND HERE, PRESS BUTTON, MACHINE GO CHUGGA CHUGGA.
Oh, and I like learning about history, particularly local history. Like, since we've moved to Ohio, I've wanted to learn more about the history of the state and even more specifically our town/the area where our town was established. Like, I've been trying to learn which Native tribes lived here. And I like learning about indigenous plants and wildlife, local legends, that kind of thing. Especially "unusual" legends, like the kind of stuff you would find in Weird NJ. (If you've never read that magazine, it's fantastic. I discovered it due to my love of the Jersey Devil legend.)
What one thing you would like to do more of?
Most of my answers boil down to needing more time, and there's nothing you can do about that. Unless you've got a Time Turner you want to lend me!
What are some things that fascinate you? Or, What would you like to know more about?
See above, re: legends and folk stories, "monsters" specific to a given area, ghost stories, unexplained stories. Also, psychology and psychological experiments about human nature.
9/20/15
Would you like any cookie butter (just to be clear, store-bought, not home-made, and does contain wheat since it's, y'know, cookie butter)?
I've never had it, but everyone raves about it so I'd love to try it.
Is there any particular piece (or pieces) of art (painting, photograph, etc) that speaks to you in some way?
Honestly, you could pick just about any Van Gogh painting and it will give me all the feels, but that was his genius. I know there are other works of art that have struck me as windows into my own soul, but I can't pull any of them out of my brain at the moment.
What kinds of things would you like from the Lilith BPAL or BPTP update (or are you joining a decant circle?)
The only ones that grabbed me (scent-wise; they were all wonderful to read/look at) were Blood And Judgment So Well Commedled, Muddy Puddles, and especially The Worst Pillow.
Do you want to received knit or crocheted items? If so, could you describe or even link to a couple of items similar to what you would like to receive?
Absolutely! I've been wanting a good pair of fingerless gloves/mittens for literally years. I bought myself a pair several years ago, but they were poorly made so they ended up falling apart fairly quickly.
What thing do you want to do (or get) but you keep putting off for one reason or another?
Fingerless gloves/mittens. Also, I've been meaning to try BPTP Castitas bath oil for (again) years, but I never seem to catch a decant circle and I can't bring myself to spend the money on a whole bottle plus shipping in case I don't like the smell or texture.
9/21/15
Would you like anything from Lush?
This was on my questionnaire, but: Rock Star, Sultana of Soaps, Ocean Salt, and Sonic Death Monkey. I know the last one (possibly the last two) is disconned, but sometimes they bring stuff back.
Do you prefer hand-made or store-bought?
No preference at all, I appreciate either!
SPICY! Scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "oh, that's a bit too much black pepper for me" and 10 being "ghost pepper? scorpion pepper? I laugh at these! I love as much heat as you can throw my way!" Where are you?
Let's say I'm an 8.5. I LOVE spicy food up to the point that it kind of clears your sinuses and makes you pant a bit. But if it makes me cough, I may end up in a coughing fit and I don't need that.
What is your BPAL "Holy Grail"?
Sadly, probably De Sade. I love original Spanked, but that's never coming back (I got a couple bottles of the resurrection, but it's definitely not the same). De Sade was the most perfect clean, rich black leather without any "chemical" smell like I get from some black leather scents. I finally got an imp, fell in ecstatic love with it, and it was promptly discontinued before I could place an order for a bottle.
Analog or Digital? Or Both?
Mostly digital, although for some reason I have a hard time focusing on non-fiction books in ebook format. It's so weird. But otherwise, yeah, digital.
What scents from other perfume companies are you really wanting to have in your collection and or are just really wanting to test? Companies like NAVA, Arcana, Solstice Scents, Possets, Haus of Gloi etc.....?
I've always meant to try Arcana's Filthy Viking, Villainess Jai Mahal, and Haus of Gloi's Blood Orange Marshmallow and Snow Wolf. I'm sure there are others that I just can't think of right now.
9/22/15
Do you have an affinity for any specific animals?
Wolves, crows, polar bears, foxes, lynxes, black cats, deer.
Kitchen Needs or Wants?
I always need kitchen towels, either seasonal ones or just cute everyday ones. My kitchen is painted a pale silvery beige with white trim and cabinetry, but the accent colors I'm incorporating are light blues, greens, and blue-greens, with maybe tiny dashes of lavender, coral, and red.
Makeup! Do you like it, would you want some? If so what brands do you like to wear?
I love makeup so much, but I almost never get to wear it anymore. When I go out, I usually just slap a little powder on my face. I wear Carmex or some other lip balm way more often than I do lipstick. I've fallen into a dowdy, frumpy SAHM rut and I need to snap out of it!
Chocolate fiends ahoy! What kind of chocolate do you like? Do you like any other things in it or just plain good ole chocolate?
I love dark, almost bitter chocolate, and I love smooth, creamy chocolate. I love good plain chocolate, and I love chocolate that's full of yummy add-ins. I am pro-chocolate.
Would you be opposed to receiving a ton of Halloween themed items?
No, I LOVE Halloween stuff, and just general autumn themed stuff. Decorating for holidays and changing seasons is one of my favorite things, and autumn is my favorite season, so practically any cute or pretty decorative thing would be put to use eventually. And I'm a witch, so anything specifically witch-themed may see some use year round.
9/23/15
Would you be interested in any special little thing I might be able to pick up from the Great Lakes Bat Festival this Saturday? Both Janell Cannon (author of Stellaluna and other kids' books) and Fiona Reid (illustrator for lots of animal field guides) will be there, so would you possibly be interested in something like an autographed copy of Stellaluna or one of Cannon's or Reid's other books? Or something from the Organization for Bat Conservation, like a shirt or other swag?
I love Stellaluna! So beautiful. So anything Stellaluna-related would be lovely.
What items from the Weenie update interest you, should you have to option of getting anything as a gift from your Witch??? Would you be ok with decants, or bottles?
In order from "definitely want" to "wouldn't mind trying":
(decants, half decants, bottles, whatever)
The Witches(!!!)
Frosted Pumpkin Spice Cookie
Pumpkin Spice Everything SN
Apple Cider SN
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcake
Witchcraft Scene
Le Revenant
Magnificent Autumn
Second Spring
Sonnet d'Automne
What's your favorite scary movie?
I don't really like most modern scary movies because I hate seeing violence and gore. The only exception I can think of is The Company of Wolves. I love that movie. Otherwise, I prefer old fashioned suspense, like Hitchcock movies (the less violent ones, at least), and more cozy movies that are vaguely related to Halloween, like Practical Magic. I love both the book and movie versions of PM.
9/24/15
Blu-Ray or DVD?
Either is fine for my player.
Game systems - console or computer? Mac/PC? Which console?
We have none at the moment.
Are you dressing up for Halloween and if so do you need any accessories for if?
I just ordered Emma's costume yesterday (the part that I'm not making) and asked DH if he wants to dress up, too, but he was kind of meh about it so we probably won't. She's going to be a little woodland fairy, so I'm not sure what we would even have been to go with that. Oh, BUT! If you come across some cute masks, the kind that only go over the eyes, we could wear those.
Talk to me about bags, what kinds do you like? Sizes and styles?
Finding the right bag is an ongoing project for me because what I need keeps shifting. Right now, I pretty much need something enormous to carry everything, with a few good pockets, and with really long straps (or an adjustable strap) so that I can sling it over my shoulder even when I'm wearing a heavy sweater/winter jacket. FTR, I love Vera Bradley stuff, but they're expensive and I still haven't found exactly the right thing among their offerings.
What are your favorite fandoms and do you want to receive anything related to such?
I have a few shows that I like a lot, but I don't really get into fandoms anymore.
What are you planning to order from the Weenies update?
I think I may get a bottle of The Witches because that sounds amazing. (If I had unlimited funds, I'd get the entire witches/Hecate's Inheritance line, just on witchy principle.)
The Last Huzzah of the NY Renaissance Faire happens this weekend and I'm going! Is there anything you might want? (Besides a turkey leg, which won't ship well!)
One of my best friends goes every year--it's the day after Pagan Pride, so it's like a whole fun weekend for her. I don't know what they have there, other than jewelry (she always ends up getting a new shiny thing every year), so unless you see something that makes you think of me, I can't think of anything.
Do you like comics or graphic novels? Any issues or collections you want to read?
I read the first volume of Sandman a few years ago and I wouldn't mind reading the next one. But as far as comic books: Nooooooo, thank you! We have so many comic book boxes bulging with DH's collection. He finally gave up collecting several years ago because we ran out of space.
Do you like fanfic? Would you like a story written for you as part of your gift? What characters/fandoms/pairings etc do you like?
No, thanks.
Where do you have wishlists at? If you could please link to them or to a post that links to them. (Amazon, Etsy, Think Geek, Pinterest, Sephora, Lush, BPAL/BPTP, Soap Box Company, everywhere and anywhere!)
This is why I think I'm a terrible Witchee for someone to have. I hardly ever keep up on my wishlists. I have an Amazon "Switch Witch Help" wish list which I started last time I did SW, and I updated it the other night. I always feel guilty about showing anyone my wishlists, because it feels like I'm saying, "Hey, gimme this!" But I'm not! Just consider it a window into what kind of stuff I like. I'll make a blog post with my wishlists as I make or update them, is that okay? If you want info right away, let me know!
9/25/15
Let's say you have indicated interest in receiving a hand knitted item. What colors, exactly, do you like? If you could provide color swatches here or to pinterest (or something visual), that would help out a lot.
Color swatches, jeez. Where do I get color swatches? Let me think.
In the meantime, here's a swatch-less list of colors I like to wear, as shade-specific as I can be with just words:
Rose pink
That kind of warm, peachy/coral/rosy pink color (yeah, I see where a swatch would be helpful)
Ivory
Mossy green
Teal
Aqua
Cornflower blue
Amethyst
Would you rather receive a bunch of little packages through the round, a couple of medium packages, or one big package at the end?
I guess either lots of little ones or a couple of medium ones. I think I'd get jealous of everyone else getting their packages if I didn't get anything until the end lol.
For those of us with out-of-country Witchees, would you be happy with receiving a few packages from local to you merchants (say, through Etsy or equivalent)?
That's fine with me!
If/when you go to the mall, for which store(s) do you beeline?
The only stores in our mall that I really like are Bath & Body Works and Gap (for Emma, they don't sell plus sizes). We have a few big shopping strips here, though, with good stores like Books A Million, Michaels, Jo-Ann's, Yankee Candle, Target, and World Market. If we had a Sephora, I'd be there all the time, but there are none for miles, it's shocking! We do have an Ulta, but I've never been inside.
Subscription Boxes?
I have never tried subscription boxes.
Would Witchees like something from IKEA? (Or any other not always accessible by everyone store?)
We actually do need to go to Ikea, but the nearest one is in Pittsburgh so it'll be an all day trip. I can't think of anything small enough to send, though. I mean, I know they have all kinds of cute stuff like candleholders and dish towels, but I don't know what styles they've got at the moment. I love Scandinavian style, though, so I would usually find something I liked when I went. But right now the stuff we need is actual furniture (we need a second sofa and an ottoman, and that cute blue metal rolling cart)
Do you like tarts/candles/incense? If so, what type of scents?
I love tarts and candles, but incense makes me cough. I prefer warm stuff like vanilla, pumpkin pie, cookies, that kind of thing. But I also like woodsy scents, pine trees, and sometimes "fireplace" type scents.
Is there anything you wish you could have picked up from the Dragon*Con exclusives?
I don't even know what the exclusives are, so obviously not lol. I saw people talking about more peach scents, and I do love peaches, but I don't know what other notes are in them so meh.
Is there a GC you've been dying to try but haven't got around to yet?
I was SO EXCITED when Beth released a scent for Tlazolteotl (in Excolo) because I find her fascinating. (Tlazolteotl, not Beth, although I guess Beth is also fascinating.) But I keep forgetting to order it.
The questionnaire asked about gold & silver jewelry, but how do you feel about copper jewelry? Do you like colorful jewelry, or do you prefer to keep it neutral?
I love copper. As far as colorful jewelry, I like it, but usually one color at a time if that makes sense.
We asked about decorating style, but are you interested in receiving decorations for your home? Are you interested in things that go on the wall or things that go on shelves?
Yes, I love decorations! Decorating for the holidays and changing seasons is one of my favorite things to do, I go to the craft store and spend a stupid amount on seasonal silk flowers and cute little signs and figurines and baskets and stuff. I actually just bought more stuff yesterday in preparation for setting up our autumn/Halloween display (which, come November, I will add to and subtract from to make it an autumn/Thanksgiving display) and I can't wait! I just need DH to find where the movers put our boxes of holiday decorations.
And at the moment, I'm sticking with shelf/tabletop stuff because we spent an ungodly amount of money on having the house painted and the idea of driving nails into the paint makes me wince. HOWEVER, if you see a cute little print that you think screams my name or something, that's okay with me! I can always stick it in a frame and use the little kickstand thingy until I get up the courage to take out the hammer and nails.
Office supplies hound? Pens, pencils, journals, any preference, or favorites?
Yes yes yes. I love pens and notebooks! I love all kinds of notebooks, from hardcover journals with fancy covers to little slim paper ones to stick in my purse. With pens, I prefer my everyday pens to be blue ink, but it's just a slight preference. And I love colored inks. One of my favorite pens recently was a clicky pen (I love clicky pens) that wrote in purple.
Talk to me about socks! Is there anything, dear, dear Witchee, that I can get for you from Sock Dreams? Anything from another place?
I know I've mentioned that I love socks. I mostly wear them in the house, though, because in the winter I wear Uggs and in summer I wear sandals. So I like them to be fuzzy and warm, not necessarily practical for wearing inside shoes. I like foofy chenille ones to sleep in, or long ones that go all the way up. And also mittens are nice, or fingerless gloves.
I live near a huuuuge candy store. What kind of candy do you like? Gummies? Caramel? Chocolate? Sour? Sugar-free?
I like chocolate and caramel, not too crazy about sour candies or gummies. Okay, sometimes I like gummies, like if it's Swedish fish. And I like Twizzlers (any color) but NOT Red Vines.
9/26/15
How do you feel about animal products? Not so much animal toys or food, but more like furs, paws, bones, etc.
No.
Are you interested in receiving any restaurant.com gift certificates for your area?
Not really, we don't get to go out to eat very often.
9/27/15
How do you feel about "toys" - stuffed animals and the like?
I like them, but they'd have to be small enough to keep on my desk or something, otherwise Emma will probably steal them. I think Squishables made a Cerberus that I wanted at one point, but I don't think they make it in the small size.
9/28/15
Did you see the eclipse last night? How do you feel about astrological events, like eclipses? Any interest in the Blood Moon Eclipse scent from BPAL?
It rained all night that night, so other than one brief glimpse before the rain (but also before the eclipse began) I didn't get to see the eclipse at all. I sure felt it, though! But no on the BPAL scent. It's got red musk, so bleh.
Witchee's, how tall are you? And perhaps, what's your arm span (from wrist to wrist)?
I'm 5'9", and I'm sorry but there's no way for me to measure my arm span right now.
How do you feel about the 4 elements? Or are you more of an Asian 5 elements person? Do you feel strongly about any of the elements, like a connection or a preference?
I've always, ALWAYS been a Water girl, even though I'm a Fire sign. The Fire only comes out once in a while, and I always figured I was mostly Water, a little bit Air (because I love being up high, and I love birds and feathers). Zero Earth. And then I got pregnant, and BAM, Earth. And then we moved here and instead of being a ten minute walk from the water, I'm surrounded by trees and cornfields. And I'm in the baby steps stages of planning my first garden. So I'd say right now I'm Earth > Water > Air > Fire. (Man, if my Witch is the one who asked this question, you probably didn't think you'd get such a detailed answer.)
How do you feel about bento boxes? Is it something you would use if you were to get one?
Isn't that for sushi? I don't eat sushi. If it could be used for a portable altar (like, I'd fill it with a small bottle of water, packet of salt, vial of oil, etc.) then I'd definitely use it for that.
Scarves, shawls or cowls? Mittens, gloves, fingerless mitts or wristlets?
Scarves. Shawls are awesome, but I think that would be too much wrapping just to go from house to car to store to car to house. And I have a great cowl that I got from Etsy, but it hangs too far down so there's always a gap right by my neck, letting the air in.
how do you feel about online classes? Like, say, craftsy or creativebug? Or even lynda.com?
I've never heard of any of these things. But if there's a way to take a class for learning to use my sewing machine, and I could do it on my own time, I'd try that.
9/29/15
What do we want from Paintbox Soapworks?
Uh. ALL THE THINGS. My favorites of the ones I've tried are Gingermilk, Pants Relief Elixir, and another one I can't remember the name of (something like sweet dreams, or sandman, or maybe blue moon, or...something to do with going to sleep). But most of them sound so good that I'd happily use soap, scrub, or even wax melts in any but the very few scents that DON'T sound good to me (Creeping Horror, Crimson & Clover, The Fusilier). A few that sound really good are Pink Sand, The Bees' Lament, and Smoky Jack.
If I were to make you some art, would you prefer a frame that hangs or one that sits? And what color/style would you prefer?
Sits, please! I think I already mentioned this, but we just spent a sickening amount of money on having the whole house painted, and the idea of putting nails into my beautiful paint still scares me.
How do you feel about gourmet marshmallows?
Like if Cookie Monster were a girl and he had PMS, how he would feel about cookies.
Are you a slatherer or a dabber?
I'm definitely a dabber.
Talk to me, dear witchies, about tea. I know we've covered this a little, but I really need the nitty gritty here- not just companies you like and don't like (Teavana? Adagio? David's? Some tiny place?) but I also want to know the other stuff: top 3 flavors, loose or bagged, the kinds of tea accessories you use- or have always wanted. Be specific. Provide links if necessary.
I'm sorry, I just don't put that much thought into tea. I like plain black (my standby is decaf Tetley because then I can have it at night) or Earl Grey when I'm feeling a little more delicate. And I like some herbal "teas" but haven't had my favorite standby (peppermint) in a couple of years(!) because I'm still nursing and peppermint can impair your supply.
Villainess is putting out brand new stuff for the first time in a while (as opposed to bringing back former lines). Sooo.... who wants it?
Yes! I'd be happy to try Gingerleaf or Saltleaf. Brooke is a goddess and I love her.
10/2-10/3
How does everyone feel about duct tape crafts? Any favorite patterns?
I have never done crafts with fancy (or plain) duct tape, and probably never will, but if you are talented in that respect, feel free to surprise me!
Are there any flowers you especially like?
Yes! I love lilies, especially pink Oriental lilies, and purple or lavender roses, especially sterling roses. Also, lilacs, violets, and any flower that is black or almost black. I have great ambitions for my garden, and someday I'd like to have a section that's all black, or black and white. Doesn't that sound cool? Actually, if you want to, you can check my "garden" board on Pinterest.
Would you be interested in any cozies or cases (yarn o fabric, not hard cases) for tech stuff (phone, laptop' etc) or for cups/mugs/bottles or anything else similar.
I was going to say sure, but I don't think I'd actually be able to use them. My phone has to be able to fit into its designated pocket in my bag, and I don't usually carry coffee outside. And water bottles just get thrown into my purse.
Would you like Halloween or Day of the Dead themed ornaments or a "bunting"?
Absolutely! Halloween, though, because DdLM isn't "my" holiday, culturally. I really love the way the decorations look, but I don't want to just take them out of context.
Are there witchees who would like book related gifts like a booklight, bookmark, bookseat or something for your reading gadget,like a cover or a light for example.
I have a book light, don't need a cover, but now I'm curious what the heck a bookseat is.
I make handmade journals, mini albums and similar items. Would my witchee be interested in something like that?
Yes, I love things like that. I'm always amazed by people who can turn paper into beautiful books like that.
What songs/music/artists/CD's do you like to listen to around Halloween?
I don't think I have any Halloween-specific listening habits.
Are you interested in leg warmers at all?
No, I can't see myself wearing them.
Is your Halloween style scary, cutesy, folksy, grotesque . . .?
I'd definitely say folksy. In fact, I keep meaning to post my seasonal display on FB now that it's all done up for Halloween, so if you have me friended you can see it. And if you don't have me friended, I hereby give any/all of our ringleaders who have me friended to share the pics with you. I'll go post it after I finish these questions.
10/5/15
I bought the Portal board game last week & it came with a Portal 2 steam free download code. I already have the game on another console & it's one of my favorite series of all time. Soooo, would you want it?
I only understand that this is about a video game. The rest is Greek to me, except I actually know a few words of Greek. (So, no, but thank you.)
10/6/15
Have you read The Martian? Or do you plan on watching the movie?
No, and probably not.
NaNoWriMo - Pertaining to that, how does everyone feel about such things? Will anyone be participating? How about NaNo swag, is there any you want?
I've never done it, and I can say with absolute certainty that this is not the year I will be giving it a try. Now, if there were a NaNoSleepMo, I'd say sign my tired ass up.
Honey or beeswax products? Discuss.
I like!
How do you feel about bumper stickers and car magnets? What do you like--cute, pretty, snarky, geeky/fandomy?
I like car magnets as long as they're not like super huge. Geeky…let me see, like maybe if there were such a thing as a Slytherin house magnet, that would be cool. We get the short end of the stick, fandom-wise.
Do you have any phobias that your Witch should be aware of?
Yes, if you send me anything with cockroaches it will probably make me have a panic attack. If you want to be safe, just stay away from anything bug-related unless it's butterflies or dragonflies. Please and thank you!
Trading Post Weenies are live! Anything calling to you?
That was a great update! The Pumpkin Spice Everything atmo spray and The Unquiet Grave claw polish were my favorites.
10/7/15
Speaking of nail things, it that time of year and I am doing my jamberry order, Would you want some Lovely Jamberry's for your nails?
I've never tried Jamberry (and I know at least one or two people who sell it, it just looks complicated to me) but I'd try it if you sent me some and told me how it works.
10/8/15
Do you like or want to try Marmite?
Nope, thanks!
10/9/15
Are there any DISCONTINUED (not LE) BPAL oils that you wish you had, or had a little more of?
Two for me:
De Sade, because I loved that scent, the perfect leather.
Antique Lace, because that was Kathy's (jarvenpa) favorite. I had an imp that I tested and passed along years ago because it just didn't grab me, but now I wish I'd kept it. If Beth is ever able to bring back Antique Lace, I'll buy a bottle and just wear it once in a while to be reminded of Kathy because I miss her.
Ugh, now I'm sad. Next question.
Is there anything fairly basic that you're always running out of and need to buy more of?
For me, it's scrunchies. I use them to just throw my hair into a bun most days, but lately I've been using them for Emma's hair, and I swear she must have discovered a pocket dimension somewhere because they just disappear and turn up days later if I'm lucky. So yeah, those cheap scrunchies they sell in the drugstore next to the hairbrushes and barrettes.
(This is mostly for me to keep track of stuff I want, and also for my Witch if she needs help. I'll try to keep it updated.)
*** = something I especially want to try
ARCANA
Spirit & Shadow***
Freyja
Dia de los Muertos
Ghost Pumpkin
Little Ghoulie
Skeleton Key
Goat God Soap***
All Souls Island Soap
Bonfires at Dusk
Byzantium
Devilish
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eostre***
Filthy Viking
Juno
Last Hours of Empires
Latitude
Puppy Kisses
Queen Crossbones (I will ALWAYS take more QC!)
Swashbuckler
Tess
Velvet Underpinnings
Cocos Nucifera: Dive
Emotions/Polarities: Love
The Heart Duo: Venus Return
The Milton Duo: Serve in Heaven
Philtre #5: Embrace***
Layering Notes:
-Caramelized Coconut
HAUNT
Pumpkin Cake lip lust
Cask lip lust
Palmist
Gloomy Sunday
Burying Tree
Rising
Claw and Cobblestone***
Watcher
Witch-Wife***
Cinnamon Girl
Gloaming
Sword & Lion
Star and Thicket
glossing oil - Claw and Cobblestone or Witch-Wife
Coffee Fiend sugar polish (Because I am a coffee fiend!)
MIDNIGHT GYPSY
Cakes & Ale
Wicked Jack
Wayfarer
A Murder of Crows
Pomona
Skinny Dip
Feather
Elysian
Seraphim
Psyche
Paradise Found
Persephone Undone
Sunshine
SHIRO COSMETICS
(spoilered for super-longness)
10/6
Are you dressing up for Halloween, Witchee? If so, is there anything you're looking for to complete your costume?
I wish! No one I know ever throws a party. I haven't had a chance to dress up for Halloween in over fifteen years. I keep hoping, though!
Do you need any accessories for your smartphone (case, skin, etc)?
Nope, I'm good!
10/5
Fusion Sweets?
The English Breakfast Tea Caramels and the Chai Caramels look amazing. Also, the Pumpkin Pie, the French Sea Salt, the Roasted Black Sesame, the Belgian Dark Chocolate...I wish I'd never clicked on that link!
Do you want anything from Dark Delicacies or any of the Poe scents?
There are a few Dark Delicacies scents I've wanted to try (decants of any of these would be great): Horrid Mysteries, Midnight Bell, Story Time At Dark Delicacies, The Nameless City Drive-In Theatre, Psychological Horror (I've been meaning to try this one forever). And I know this is after the fact, but if you have any Alone and want to send me a sniffy, I would not say no!
10/4
Would you be interested in comic books and if so what ones do you read or what genre of comics are you interested in?
I haven't read comics in such a long time. DH stopped buying them because we ran out of space for all the boxes. :/
WITCHEE, DO YOU WANT ANYTHING FROM CALIFORNIA?
If you could package up North Beach and send it to me, that'd be cool. But I can't really think of anything else specific.
My mom is making a limited amount of Honeycrisp "Apple Crips" right now. (Dried honeycrisp apples, nothing added.) DO YOU WANT SOME WITCHEE?????
Sounds yummy!
IngenuiTEAs?
Either black tea with pumpkin and caramel or oolong with lemon and cinnamon, or black with chai and almond flavor...this is another dangerous site.
10/3
What do you think of Shiro Cosmetics Halloween Collection? (www.shirocosmetics.com)
~*~see wishlist here~*~
The Godiva Halloween Collection: http://godiva.com/gi...default,sc.html
The pumpkin truffles and caramels look good.
10/2
If you had a fairy for NYCC, what exclusive scent would you kill to own?
I wouldn't kill for it, but I wouldn't mind trying Badgers. Please don't go nuts, though, dear Witch. French vanilla doesn't always do well on me, I think, so I wouldn't want you to drive yourself round the bend trying to get a fairy just for this.
9/30
Do you want anything from Arcana's fall update?
~*~see wishlist here~*~
9/29
Would anyone like a witch pendant?
Like, shaped like a witch?
Sure!
What's a new company to you that you most want to try a product from or what would be a new product to you that you most want to try (make-up, perfume, or bath/body)?
I guess Haunt (I've only tried Winchester from them) or Midnight Gypsy.
If you like necklaces, what are some symbols or images that you would love to have a necklace depict?
Well, I wear my silver ankh most of the time, but it's on the large side (I didn't realize how large it would be when I ordered it) so I've been looking on and off for a smaller, more delicate one. I also love anything to do with stars (especially four- or eight-pointed ones), the moon (full or crescent or triple moon), pomegranates, and stuff like wolf claws and crow feathers (not real ones, I mean, but shaped like them).
9/27
Gardening?
Not yet, but when we have a house I plan to start a garden. So if you know of any good gardening books (so far I have the For Dummies book and the Better Homes & Gardens book), especially one for total noobs, that would be cool!
Is there anything you might want from the latest update (Lab or TP)?
Not that I can think of.
Is there something(s) that you consider too spendy or too frivolous for you to buy for yourself, but that you actually want?
I really like Wylde Ivy's White Cashmere, but I gave mine to my mom when she was visiting (a year and a half ago!) because she liked it and I've yet to replace it. Not that it's expensive, but pretty much everything has been too frivolous for me to spend money on lately, unfortunately.
Do you use or would like to try loose eyeshadow pigments?
I like loose eyeshadows, but I have quite a few that I never use because my brush (it was eco-friendly and cruelty-free, but apparently cheaply made) broke. So that's an idea, if you can find a decent eyeshadow brush!
9/26
Witchee, do you want anything from the Haunt update coming up on 10/3? I know it might be too early to say, but if you could look at the preview on the night of 10/2 and let me know if you want anything...
~*~see wishlist here~*~
Do any of Villainness' Soap Box exclusive scents interest you, especially any of the Smooches/Whippeds?
I love Villainess, especially the Smacks! I wish everything that was available as a Smooch was available as a Smack, because Smooches make the tub too slippery for clumsy ol' me. That said, I'd love to try Jack O. or First Frost soap.
Puddin' just put a shitton of old Lunacy shirts on the BPTP Etsy! Any ones interest you?
Not really, and I've probably missed them all by now. I kind of wanted the Raven Moon one, but I didn't have money for it at the time.
9/25
What do you do to take care of yourself when you're having a rough day (sick, life not going your way, whatever)?
I usually fix myself a cup of tea and hopefully scrounge up something sweet, and watch a favorite movie, often one based on a Jane Austen novel (I have so many), but sometimes a funny movie. I think I said in answer to another question that Hot Fuzz is one of my favorite cheer-up movies. I usually save it for when I feel really low.
Who here is going to be picking up JK Rowling's new book on Thursday
I haven't yet, but I do want to read it at some point. I'm a little scared, based on the few reviews I've read so far, that I'm going to have a hard time dealing with how different it is to the Harry Potter series.
favorite and least favorite baked goods?
Favorite...anything to do with chocolate, I guess? Least favorite...I can't think of a least favorite baked good.
what size T-Shirt do you wear (standard AND babydoll)?
I guess it depends? All my old BPTP crewnecks are 3X because I wanted them to be big, but since I lost weight they're a little *too* big. So I guess 2X. And I have a babydoll somewhere that's XXL, but I don't wear it much because it's so short on me. I'm tall-ish (5'9"), but most of my height is in my long waist, so a lot of shirts are too short on me, which is one of the reasons I was getting my shirts so big.
I found a fantastic little shop while traveling that had unusual jellies and jams. Would you be interested in trying something like Georgia Moonshine Jelly or TOE Jam (each letter stands for some kind of fruit, I don't remember which ones) or something similar? How about homemade jam in general?
I believe I have already made my fascination with this Moonshine Jelly stuff clear! And I'm open to pretty much any kind of jam.
Would you be interested in homemade herbal remedies and tinctures?
Sure, although I'd probably prefer something external (like a salve or wash) rather than something taken internally.
9/24
Paintbox Soapworks: Interested in anything from her?
I love her soaps! Of the ones I've tried so far, I like Gingermilk, The Man In The Moon (but I don't see that anymore so I guess it was disconned), White Cotton Sheets, and Pants Relief Elixir. Ones I haven't tried, but would like to: The Queen Is Dead, Dead Leaves On The Dirty Ground, Heima, Lady Linden, Sweet Cheeks, Miss Ada (so...most of them, I guess) and the Weenies, especially Smiling Jack. Yeah, I like Paintbox.
ThinkGeek: anything interesting to you on there?
I probably want about half of what they've got, but every time I go to that website, I lose a ton of time. So if I ever want to get caught up on these questions, I can't go comb through it now. If you really need an answer to this, dear Witch, please poke me.
What's one thing you want, right now, that you're having difficulty finding?
I can't think of anything right at the moment.
are there any e-tailers you're desperately wanting to try? if so, any specific items/scents/etc?
I kind of want to try Midnight Gypsy on Etsy. I made a list of scents that sound interesting, but of course that's on my other, currently only-sometimes-working, computer. At a glance, I see a few that look good:
~*~see wishlist here~*~
9/23
Lip balm - tube or tin?
I prefer tubes because they're more sanitary.
Would you like to receive a journal or sketchbook? How about other pretty paper goods like post-its, notepads, bookmarks, letter paper/envelopes?
I would love any of that! Especially a journal because I love journals and notebooks, but really, any of it.
Are you interested in audiobooks? If so, any specific titles?
Sure, I like to listen to an audiobook sometimes when I'm on the treadmill. I like mysteries and I guess what's called "urban fantasy" as long as it's not the type that's just an excuse for endless sex scenes (like that what's her name...I can't remember her name, but she seems to have started the whole sex-and-monsters subgenre) because that bores me.
Bar soaps with some scrubby bits, yes or no?
Yes.
Do you need any small electronic gadgets like flash drives and the like?
Actually, yes. I could use a new flash drive. I've got one somewhere, but I can't find it.
Would you like a pair of knitted socks?
I would LOVE a pair of knitted socks.
Do you have any use for knitted dishcloths, facecloths, etc, especially if they were fandom related?
I don't think so, I've got enough of washcloths and dishcloths already.
Do you subscribe to any sample boxes, and if so, which ones? Would you like to receive some samples? (perfume, eco/"green," skin care, hair, music downloads, cosmetics, soap...)
I don't subscribe to any, but I do love samples. Any health/beauty stuff that's not animal-tested would be cool. And I love hearing new music, so feel free to suggest anything.
do you have a problem with nudes???Male or Female?
Nope, I think bodies are beautiful.
People ask a lot of questions about dogs and cats, but I know a lot of forumites have rodent pets. How would you feel about hammocks or toys for your rats/hamsters/gerbils/etc.?
I don't have any rodent pets. (But the mental image of a rat/hamster/gerbil swinging in a hammock is adorable and I encourage anyone who does have a rodent-in-a-hammock to please post pictures.)
9/21
My Little Pony... Cute or meh?
...Both? Like, I think they're cute and some of the customized OOAK ones I've seen are amazing, but I don't necessarily need one. I've got a cute pink one that I bought on a whim years ago sitting on my bookshelf, but I have no idea what it's called or anything.
I realize that we had a similar question in the ?aire, but I need you Witchee-s to list at least 5 items, each ranging $20 and under from Amazon.com or Walmart.com.
I keep getting stuck on this one because it's too wide open. So I'm gonna skip it.
My new job is at a consignment store where we have all kinds of designer brands for very reasonable prices. Are there designer clothes/purses/sunglasses that you desire/love? (Give some indication as to your "style" as well. For example, do you like bohemian-style frocks in lavender? Crossbody purses in black? Sunglasses that are round and bug-like?)
I loveloveLOVE sunglasses--the bigger, the better. I recently stopped dead in my tracks when passing a local eyeglass place because they had this pair of incredible sunglasses in the window display. The frame was shaped like an infinity symbol, with huge smoky lenses. So gorgeous. I think they were Versace or a similarly ridiculously expensive designer brand. So if you're my Witch and you see 'em for cheap, by all means! I also love bags. Lately, clutch purses, but anything relatively structured (i.e., not slouchy hobo styles) OR a sturdy tote. Oh, and I like wristlets!
In the meantime, let me know what you like to do on the Internet to kill time. Flash games? What are your daily websites/blog visits, or favorite YouTube videos?
The forum and Facebook are pretty much all I need to eat up hours of time.
And what are your favourite characters from your fandoms?
I remember answering this question at some point, and all that's coming to mind right now are Giles and Xander (BtVS) because I remember saying it before.
9/20
What is your holy grail "I'd kill to just have one drop in an imp" bpal scent?
Ice Queen, but I've been working on convincing myself that it would smell awful on me so that I can stop wanting it.
Are there any existing Weenies that you have your eye on, but haven't gotten around to getting
I haven't gotten my decants yet, so I don't know about those. But I didn't sign up for a decant of Halloween in the Miskatonic University Library and that sounds good, although I think I could approximate it by wearing Misk U and Pumpkin Latte at the same time.
if you wear earrings, do you have pierced ears?
I do, and yes, I do.
9/15
Do you like s'mores and s'mores-flavored things?
I believe my answer is obvious. [That's a yes, dear Witch.]
What's the neatest freebie you've gotten? It can be cool or thoughtful or just totally unexpected, and not limited to BPALdom.
I've gotten so many really thoughtful extras over the years. I'd say one of the most memorable was when Edens Sixth Day included sniffies of the really popular Convergence exclusives back in...2006, I guess?...with some imps I'd bought from her. Voodoo Queen, Storyville, and Doc Buzzard. Just because I was still relatively new(ish) and had no expectation of ever smelling those scents, so it was a great surprise. And I made sure to pass along the sniffies. I think I divided that Storyville sniffie into two or three to spread the love as much as possible.
9/16
Would you enjoy receiving cute but useful items like colorful kitchen utensils/gadgets, or bento supplies? (boxes, chopsticks, accessories, etc?) What about things like spice mixes (homemade, or Penzey's for example)
I would love it! One of my favorite gifts from my lovely Witch last year was a juice squeezer. I love kitchen doohickeys! Oh, and FYI, my kitchen is all red stuff with a bit of turquoise thrown in.
Do you like cute, seasonal or fluffy PJ bottoms? Like they sell at Target, Old Navy (they have had cute Halloween ones!) If so, what size do you wear?
I do like them, but I like to choose my own clothing.
What kind of chocolate do you like? Nuts, no nuts, white,dark, etc?
White chocolate is my favorite, but I love all kinds. I'm okay with nuts or not, either way. And salted caramel chocolate is always yummy!
I live near a Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Penzeys! What does your little heart desire from any or all of these places?
It's been so long since I've been to WF and TJ's (and I've never heard of Penzeys) so I'm not really sure what they have that I would want.
Are home made foods acceptable or does the idea of eating strange mailed food disturb you?
Sure, it's not like my Witch would poison me, right? RIGHT?!
I just gave you $20 and sent you into a "has everything" store ala Walmart and told you that you have to come out having spent it all, and none of it on anything you need. What would you buy? Be as specific as possible!
I think I'd go with a pair of fuzzy slippers, a magazine, and a bar of chocolate.
What kind of cuisines do you like? (I mentioned this in my ?aire but curious what my witch may like)And, what are your favorite restaurants?
Indian is my favorite, and I also love Middle Eastern and Greek (general Mediterranean, I guess).
I'm from Canada - is there anything specifically a witchee might like that is only available here?
I've heard that maple candy is delicious, so...that.
what are your "fandoms" and would you like a t-shirt from TeeFury if an appropriate one came up?
I don't really wear t-shirts with stuff on them very often anymore. Sometimes I see a TeeFury shirt I like, but I never end up ordering it.
Do you have an eReader and if so which one?
I have a Kindle. Not sure what it's called, but it's the old, black-and-white, non-touchscreen version. I love my Kindle. Most of the books I read are ebooks now.
Do you like candles, or tart burners, or something? If so, what's your favorite scent to burn?
I love candles as long as I sit and watch to make sure my cats don't meddle with them. And I have a tart warmer that we got as a gift last Christmas, which I've been meaning to try. So...yeah. For room scents, I prefer either foody (caramel, cookies, etc.) or outdoorsy (as in foresty/woodsy--not "ocean" scents because they always end up smelling like cheap cologne *sad face*) scents.
Marzipan?
Yes, please! As long as it's just a little bit. We got a whole tin of marzipan sweets one year for Christmas and I learned that I really can't eat that much of it.
Would you be interested in washable/reusable muslin “paper” towels (basically muslin squares hemmed around the edge)? Maybe in some sort of box to put on your kitchen or bathroom counter?
No, thank you.
Do you drink alcohol and if so, would you be OK with your witch sending you homemade infused vodka? Also, does your state allow alcohol to be shipped through the mail?
I can’t really drink alcohol anymore because it interacts with the medication I’m on. Boo. I miss champagne.
If you get me (or a fellow Aussie, if there are any playing this round) as a witch or witch's minion, would you like to try some Australian specialties, such as TimTams (delicious chocolately cookies), Caramello Koalas (koala shaped chocolates filled with gloopy caramel), Australian native spices or anything like that?
Yes to TimTams! Yes to these Koala things that I’ve never heard of before, because I koalas! And I don’t know what spices are native to Australia, but I’m intrigued, so yes!
If your witch is a knitter, crocheter or sewer, is there a particular type of garment you would love to receive (hat, scarf, wrap, cowl, socks, fingerless gloves, arm warmers etc)?
All of those options sound lovely! I especially love socks and fingerless gloves, because I like to keep my windows open in autumn and spring for fresh air, and I wear a sweater, but my hands and feet get cold. (My wonderful Witch last year made me a beautiful set in some of my favorite colors.)
Is there anyone else in your house (kids, pets, partner) that would really appreciate a small gift being included for them in the switchwitchy haul so they don't feel left out?
My husband probably doesn’t care either way, although I always share any candy I get in decant circle packages with him. And if you send anything in a box, my cats will be thrilled with that once I empty it.
Since it's been mentioned several times, and I've also offered to nacho witch some, would you you like to receive wild rice and or maple syrup? I promise to include recipe ideas with the wild rice.
Heck, yes!
I have 5 bushels of tomatoes sitting in the kitchen right now that are supposed to turn into red sauce tomorrow, so would anyone like a basic red sauce (spaghetti sauce) to make its way to them?
Sure! I don’t think I’ve ever had home-canned sauce.
How would you feel about a taste of (insert witch location here) box?
I would find that interesting, as long as no meat was involved. (Although now I’m wondering what the heck I would send if my Witchee says yes this question. Would New York City taste like? [That Garbage song “Lick the Pavement” is in my head now, lol.] We have great restaurants, but it’s not like I could send that. And somehow I don’t think a nasty hot dog from a cart would be welcome. Yuck. Hmmm.)
Last year, my wonderful witch Alethia adopted a bat for me from batworld.org, a bat rescue and sanctuary. Bat's World Would you be interested in having a bat adopted in your name?
I love bats, so yes! And any other animal would make me happy, too. As long as it wasn’t a bug. (Oh, my dear Witch, very important Dymphna fact: I’ve got a bug phobia! It’s specific to a certain type of bug, but most bugs can still kinda freak me out a little. So, please, no buggy things. That includes butterflies and ladybugs. Just...ugh. The only bugs I like are dragonflies. I love those.)
9/17
I live near this very cool Retro store (you can order online too) - are there things from it that would make you squee if your witch sent them?
Zero bars! They're a bittersweet pleasure for me because I loved them when I was growing up and my grandmother always bought one for me when she was out shopping and saw them. Even when I grew up, not long before she died, she saw a package of them and sent it to me. So of course they make me think of her as well as childhood in general.
Some of your favorite artists? Classic and modern?
This is the kind of question where I always remember more to add after I've posted it. But off the top of my head: Childe Hassam, Gustav Klimt, Vincent Van Gogh, John William Waterhouse, John Singer Sargent.
If you could have an image or certain subject painted for you on any type of "canvas" (on a box, on paper, on a canvas, and so on) - could you point your witch to some of these images?
As long as it was small enough to sit on a shelf or desktop (i.e., not wall art, because I don't hang anything on my walls), I would love any image of the Moon and/or stars (I love night scenes) or any image of the goddess Hekate.
Is there a GC scent that's been on your list for ages but keeps falling off the bottom of your order because of the LEs?
Yes! I've been wanting to try Mr. Ibis foreverrrrrrr, and I can never seem to find a decant of it. And if you've got an aged but unloved imp of Blood Kiss, that would be awesome because it's sooooo good aged and my several-years-old imp is almost gone. I keep meaning to buy a bottle to age the way some people do with Snake Oil.
I've been getting into indie nail polish brands recently. What's your favorite indie brand of nail polish? Or what's your favorite mainstream brand of nail polish? Or are you not big on polish?
I love nail polish! I haven't tried indie brands, but I wouldn't mind. My favorite brand is OPI because it lasts for ages and they have a lot of colors.
Stuffed things: yea or nay?
As long as they're on the small side, because I don't have a lot of room for stuffies. Like, max size would be along the lines of a mini Squishable (like my beloved blue dragon, Kenneth).
mix-in-a-jar? How to you feel about cookie or cake or soup mixes that come in jars and you just add, like, an egg or water or what have you?
As long as it's meat-free (that includes poultry and fish, obvs) and the ingredients were listed, I'd be happy to get it! I've been considering making some of those mixes myself.
Would you be interested in beer, wine, or other specialty beverages from your Witch's area?
I can't have alcohol, sadly.
Are there any crafts/skills you've wanted to learn but haven't gotten around to? And if so, would you be interested in supplies and tutorials?
I've always wanted to learn how to spin (and weave, but there's no such thing as a portable loom--other than those things they make for kids to weave pot holders on, which NEVER WORKED for me), but since I have cats, I think I'd better give that up as a bad idea. I went so far as to hunt down beautifully crafted drop spindles on Etsy, but was always stopped from ordering by imagining what my cats would do should I ever decide to sit down and try to use it with them around. I have a hard enough time knitting without them grabbing my yarn. Anyway. I wouldn't mind giving counted cross stitch another go if it's not too hard. I tried it as a kid but all I ended up with was a piece of cloth with some gnarly, multicolored knots attached to it. (Seriously, my crafting skill level is such that I might be wise to stick with embroidering those plastic mesh bookmarks we made in grade school.)
Who here would be happy to get a lil' sumthin sumthin from Adagio Teas? --> http://www.adagio.com
Sure! I'm not fond of green tea or rooibus, and I don't like the taste of most flowers (like lavender), but I'm open to pretty much anything else. I usually drink herbal tea or black tea, and I love the oolong they serve in Chinese restaurants, but if my Witch wants to introduce me to something new, I'm willing!
Do you Ravelry? And if so, what's your handle over there? Would you be interested in gift patterns from your queue?
I don't have an account there. (Should I? I've never even checked, but I'm assuming it's a knitting--or all yarn crafts, maybe--community, right?)
Who likes Pumpkin Spice Hershey Kisses?
I DO, I DO!
What does your kitchen look like? Colors/style?
I already mentioned this in another answer, but all my small appliances (beginning with my beloved Kitchenaid mixer) are red, as are as many accessories as I can find in red--plus a bit of turquoise as an accent. As for style, we're stuck with generic beige cabinets (and oven) because we rent. When we buy a house, the kitchen is going to be white and stainless, on the modern side but not uncomfortably stark. Plus all my red stuff, of course.
Witchee, what are your favorite quotes?
I can't list all of them, but here's one of my very favorites:
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
-from Desiderata by Max Ehrmann
Put your iPod/MP3 player/what-have-you on random and list the first 10 songs it plays!
I can never get shuffle to work on my iTunes unless I'm in a playlist (like, it won't work on my whole Music folder). But I clicked on "iTunes DJ" and here's what I got, minus audiobook tracks:
1. Possession (Danzig)
2. Sunglasses At Night (Corey Hart)
3. Freebird (Lynard Skynard)
4. Like The Way I Do (Melissa Etheridge)
5. Hey, Jude (The Beatles)
6. The Goddess Appears (from The Legend of Zelda)
7. Luca (Brand New)
8. So Simple (Alicia Keys)
9. Return To Innocence (Enigma)
10. Porch (Pearl Jam) (Which is funny, 'cause that's off the album Ten.)
What's one random thing you really like and one random thing you really dislike?
LIKE: Glitter! Especially silver or pink. Or silver AND pink!
DISLIKE: You know those tinted black and white photos of little kids dressed in "adult" (but really only somewhat oversized) clothing, doing adult things like kissing or giving each other flowers or whatever? I can't stand those. I don't like it when kids are made to act like adults for the amusement of adults, which is probably why I usually don't like child actors, either. I like kids, I just prefer that they be...kids.
Hey Witchee! I want to send you a delivery. It could be cupcakes from a local bakery, it could be a singing hugging bear-a-gram, it could be a bouquet of flowers. But it will be something that you need to be there to receive.
a) Are you OK with "special deliveries"? *waggles eyebrows*
Is the address in your questionnaire the best place to reach you for said deliveries?
c) If the delivery requires a phone number (as say, some florists do) would you be OK with that information being tracked down by your Witch or asked of you anonymously?
I might not be home to get it, though. I guess if you let me know in advance, but then what if I already had plans to be somewhere else? Also, no hugging from a stranger, please! And anyone dressed up in a bear costume (or anything where the head is inside a big fake head so you can’t see their face) would FREAK me out, especially if they tried to hug me. OMG. Once, my husband and I were walking to the Staten Island Ferry and there was this person in a panda costume standing near the Bull, waving at people. I was staring at them in a kind of fascinated horror and wasn’t looking where I was going. It was raining, a lot of the kerbs in that area are made of slippery granite...long story short, I fell on my ass because I was so freaked out by that giant panda person. Even better, we were on our way to circle at the time, so I had to explain to my coven 1)why my jeans were wet and dirty and 2)why I needed to sit on a chair during circle instead of on the floor with everyone else.
What are some things you are OK with receiving gently used or homemade, and some things you absolutely do not want if they are gently used or homemade?
See my questionnaire, the part about garage sales. I don’t mind anything homemade, but I’m kind of wary of secondhand stuff nowadays. Which sucks, because we used to have this great thrift shop in my neighborhood and I got so many books from there, and I think a few other things, too.
I live near a Mast General Store. It has lots of vintage-y toys, southern foods (jams, jellies, spices) and vintage candy. Is there anything I can get for you?
I’m not gonna lie to you. Now that I know there’s such a thing as “Moonshine Jelly” I have to have it someday. But all those jams and jellies look good, peach preserves, hot pepper jelly, apple butter...I kinda wish I hadn’t looked!
Do you have any Fall or Halloween traditions?
DO I!
On October 1st, or as close to as I can remember, I take out our Halloween wreath and hang it on our apartment door. It’s small, but I love it because I made it myself. (Some years ago, I got the idea to make one for everyone in the coven we belonged to at the time as Samhain gifts.) It’s a small grapevine wreath wrapped in black tulle, with one of those small fake crows standing inside the circle of the wreath. There’s a round mother of pearl bead suspended from fishing line to look like the moon, a black fabric rose on top, and black ribbons hanging from the bottom with tiny skull beads and black feathers attached to them.
Also, the entire month of October is devoted to taking as many walks through piles of crunchy leaves as possible, preferably down to the shore and while sipping tea.
And then on Halloween night, I have a small Samhain ritual where I usually just sit with a cup of coffee for me and one for my grandmother, fixed the way she likes it, and a couple of her favorite little candies, and I talk to her and tell her I miss her. I’ll light a candle for my other ancestors and beloved dead, too, but I mainly just talk to my grandmother. And then I take her candies and coffee down to the crossroads (just the corner at the end of our block) and leave them there, maybe with a red rose if I can get one because that was her favorite.
And then my husband and I watch “scary” movies and eat some chocolate. Not *really* scary movies because I’m a chicken, and also because we have fallen into the inadvertent habit of choosing the most hilariously awful “scary” movies and laughing ourselves silly. He almost always takes November 1st off from work if he can, which he started doing years ago because if we do happen to watch something that’s actually scary, I can’t sleep so he has to stay up with me and keep me company. Oh, and I try to remember to wear my Dia de los Muertos shirt from the Trading Post on November 1st.
And then it's all getting ready for Thanksgiving, which is a whole huge list of traditions all its own. It's my favorite time of year, pretty much September through Solstice/Christmas. (Winter Solstice is our religious holiday in winter, but we still exchange gifts on Christmas.) Every year, as I stir the huge pot of batter for the date-nut bread I make for Thanksgiving (huge pot because I make a loaf for us and loaves for family and friends, so I just mix it all in a stockpot) I do my traditional witchy cackle on purpose and then I start singing "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" without meaning to, which always makes my husband laugh.
(Sorry for the essay, dear Witch. I just look forward to autumn all year long.)
Ninjas or Pirates?
Cowboys. No kidding. Years ago, I wrote a mock-inspirational post on LiveJournal for Talk Like A Pirate Day about how we didn’t have to choose between the lesser of two evils, that there was a third way, a better way. (I think it was an election year, so I had everyone going until the end.) But yeah, cowboys.
I have an extra room spray and 2 extra bath oils (one Cephalopod, one Exhibit Hall Fatigue) from Dragon*Con - would anybody like a decant?
I can’t remember what the notes for any of those are, but if you turn out to be my Witch, sure!
9/18
Witchee, would you like it if I made you a "mix tape" of songs that I think you might like? And if so, would you prefer mp3 or CD format?
I would love that! I’d prefer MP3, but either format is fine.
I know it is totally the wrong season (for most of us), but do you like/have space to garden? If so, what do you like to grow?
I wish! I can’t seem to grow anything, I’ve had a black thumb for as long as I remember, but hope springs eternal. When we have a house, I’m determined to have a garden and I’m just going to work on it until I get it right. But for now, no. (Also, don’t people plant some things in autumn? I could have sworn….)
I'm about to be near a Lush store next week, is there anything you might like from there?
Rock Star!
Songs that you keep meaning to buy but never get round to it?
I can’t think of any right now. Usually, when a song pops into my head and I’m at my computer, I just go to the iTunes store and buy it before I can forget.
Movies that you love but forgot to put in your questionaire?
and
Name one movie you keep meaning to buy, but just never get around to getting?
I love The Proposal, and I don’t have it yet. I told my husband to get it for me for Christmas, but if someone gets it for me sooner, he won’t mind.
Any favorite Bath & Body Works scents/products?
Lots, but I keep buying them myself. I will say that I love their foody and autumn-y candles. I recently bought one in Salted Caramel (OMG) and one in Fresh Balsam, which I’m saving for wintertime.
Haus of Gloi is offering custom perfumes - would you like one? What would your ideal blend be?
I already got one (leather/coffee/vanilla/sandalwood), but I’ve been planning at least one more. I can’t decide between sandalwood/woodsmoke/clean musk/leaf pile or sandalwood/mahogany/brown sugar/vanilla bean (I love sandalwood, can you tell?) or about a million other combinations. I could go broke ordering these customs if I let myself.
Any Bath, Body or nutritional type items you would love to try from a Natural and Organic food store (similar to Whole Foods) that you don't buy because they are a bit too pricey?
I can’t think of anything in particular, but if there are any light oils that can be used as body moisturizers, I might be interested in a small bit of that because I tend to turn into the Lizard Queen in winter, my skin gets so dry.
Witchee, will you be gone from your normal mailing address at any point during the round?
Not that I’m planning!
Are you a Disney fan or does even thinking about Disney make your head hurt? If you're into Disney, would you like something from the Happiest Place on Earth ?
It doesn’t make my head hurt, but I’m not a super fan. I love some Disney movies, especially Beauty & the Beast and Cinderella. And we saw Tangled recently and I liked that a lot, too.
dear witchee, would you, could you use an electric candle warmer? i'm talking something like this.
No, I don’t live/work anyplace that forbids an open flame. Plus I think having the cord dangling would make it more likely that my cats (or, okay, my clumsy self) would knock it over and make a mess. Which is why I went so long without a tart warmer, but since we were given one I figure I should use it.
Do you lust after some new socks/tights?
Socks, yes! (Tights, no.) I love socks. I’m planning to buy at least one pair of knee/over the knee socks to wear to bed when it gets really cold because I prefer wearing a nightgown or long shirt to bed when it’s cold rather than pajamas (the legs always get pulled up and twisted around my knees) but my legs get cold. But FYI, dear Witch, if you decide to get me long socks that go up the leg a bit, I do have calves that are a fun combination of plus size and very muscular, so Sock Dreams’s plus size section might be helpful.
Do you like coffee? If so, what kinds? Flavored, fancy, basic? Beans or ground?
Hazelnut is my favorite flavored coffee, but I also love Starbucks Anniversary Blend. (And also their Sumatra-Peru organic blend, which was the best coffee I've ever tasted, but they don't make that anymore. Oh, and also their Arabian Mocha Sanani, but that's not something they have most of the time.) I'm good with either beans or ground.
Would a Starbucks gift card make you happy or do you prefer your local place?
I would love it. I actually stopped going to our local independent cafe several years ago because the people who bought it were rude, whereas the Sbux employees were always so nice and friendly.
CUSTOM-Made Pottery?? yea or nay? coffee mugs, rustic or more elegant? a set of bowls? soap dish? bird feeder? something alltogether different? and lastly, good colors for glazes...?
I would love a mug made by my Witch! I tend to prefer reds/pinks and blues/greens/blue-greens.
9/19
Do you have a forum buddy? Someone who knows you and/or your tastes well enough to answer questions on your behalf?
I have lots of forum buddies, but for this, Fright would probably be your best bet.
If you are on Livejournal, would you appreciate LJ stuff like paid time, custom userheads, stuff like that? If you are NOT on LJ but are on other sites that have similar paid-for services (Flickr, for example?) would you, and what are those sites/etc?
No, thank you. I have an LJ account, but I only use it for commenting sometimes; I haven’t posted anything in years.
A question, witchees: if you are into tarot, what is your favorite card?
Am I ever! My favorite card in general is the High Priestess. I loved it even before I found out that it’s apparently both my “Soul Card” and “Personality Card” (it’s something to do with adding up the digits in your date of birth). It was very important in my spiritual evolution, actually, the idea that women could be priestesses. Aside from that, my other favorites include the Hanged Man, the Star, and the 6 of Swords.
And another question: would you like your own set of handmade rune stones or worry stones?
That sounds nice! I have a couple of sets of rune stones, but I never managed to connect with them. I keep trying periodically, though, and I’ve considered getting another set in the hopes that maybe I will “get” runes someday.
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider, or none of the above?
All of the above. I love coffee most, but in autumn I love mulled cider and in winter I love hot chocolate. And tea, I’ll drink anytime.
Gum, hard candy, soft candy, or none of the above?
Gum is good, as long as it’s minty and preferably sugar-free. I’m not really big on hard candy except butterscotch or “Werther’s originals” (which I guess are a sort of butterscotch/caramel/crack hybrid). Soft candy, I like caramels, Twizzlers (NOT Red Vines), Swedish Fish, and gummie whatevers.
Loose tea or tea bags? Do you need anything for your loose tea? (Filters, presses, etc.)
If you like tea, what kinds?
I think I answered this before. I like black tea, sometimes white tea, I like the oolong that they serve in Chinese restaurants, and I like herbal teas, especially peppermint. I do NOT like green tea, rooibos, or lapsang souchong. Oh, and I LOVE Early Grey as long as it doesn’t have lavender in it like the one they have at Starbucks. Boo. I do not like the taste of flowers like lavender or rose in my tea.
Do you do Goodreads or LibraryThing or a site like that? If so, can I see your to-read list, please?
I don’t. I don’t even really know how those things work so I’m a little intimidated about getting started. List all the books I’ve read? I’d be at it forever!
Zombies; Yay or Nay?
NAY! I’m sick of that fad, but more importantly, zombies are the one thing in the world that my husband is terrified of. So nothing zombie-related is allowed in our home.
If you have cats, do they like catnip toys? If you have doggies, would they like a super-reinforced canvas toy with a squeaker in it?
Kyle goes nuts for catnip. It rarely has any effect on Harry. But both of them love toys.
If you have kids, what are they into?
N/A
How do you feel about wearable knitted lace? Shawls, wraps, and the like?
That sounds lovely!
Looking at the warehouse, I notice that our lovely Greenwoodtree is able to do chart readings and/or forecasts at a very reasonable rate. Is this something you would want?
Sure! I’m forever scrutinizing my chart and getting other people’s opinions (because for all that I can understand it to an extent, I always end up missing something really obvious, usually having to do with aspects).
I live in Japan. Anything you would be interested in from there?
I will echo everyone else and say that the adorable stationery would be fun to receive!
Candy Corn: yes, no?
I love the way candy corn looks, but I don’t like the taste. Every year, I’m tempted into trying it by the adorableness of it, and then I go, “Gaaah, it’s just waxy sugar!”
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH YOUR ASS OFF!!! movies, comedians, black humor, your partner, a comic strip? what?
Normally, I prefer dry, sarcastic humor. However, recently, DH and I had a truly awful day. Something happened that just really upset us, and we were looking for something funny to take our minds off of it. We decided to watch Black Sheep, which if you don’t know is a Chris Farley/David Spade movie from the 90s (I love Chris Farley) and we laughed ourselves silly. It was just what we needed. And actually, I’ve found that when I’m upset about something, silly humor, particularly if it’s a buddy comedy, works better. (My go-to cheer-up movie is Hot Fuzz.) What else? Blackadder will always make me laugh. The movie Elf, which we watch every year after we trim the tree. And my husband, always. It was one of the first things that attracted me to him. Sometimes he’ll say something while we’re walking down the street and I’ll have to stop walking because I’m doubled over with laughter. People stare, and I don’t care.
You are meeting up with someone on a casual lunch/early afternoon thing. This person is someone you want to impress/look good for (for whatever reason, not necessarily romantic, and not necessarily for business either). What would you look like, given the contents of your wardrobe/etc?
Given the contents of my wardrobe, it would be a challenge! I don’t normally dress to impress anyone, I just dress to be comfortable. But let’s see. I suppose my bootcut black jeans, a black v-neck top, black boots, and a long burgundy sweater that I have lurking in my closet. And since I was wearing that, I’d probably wear the lariat necklace my mom had made for me because it’s got deep red garnets in it (along with pink and lavender coin pearls).
You are to be let loose in a clothing store of your choice, to pick a full outfit, down to the shoes, the accessories, etc. and things would be altered to fit you if needed. What store would that be, and what would you look like?
Honestly? This is going to sound boring, but if it was being tailored to fit me perfectly, I’d want a really nice black (pants) suit, along with a crisp, tailored white shirt, black ankle boots that were somehow magically comfortable for me to walk in (I haven’t worn heels in so long, I’ve lost the knack), a black faux-snakeskin envelope clutch, and a crimson silk scarf. And since this is imaginary, the only other accessory I’d choose would be a pair of diamond studs.
You open a box from the post office to reveal the 3 things you want most right now. What are they? (caveats: size doesn't matter, but they have to be tangible/buyable).
A small moonstone sphere, a silver metal stand for it to sit on, and a small box to keep it in.
The end of this month I'm going to Scarefest, the big horror and paranormal con in Kentucky. (www.scarefest.com) If I were your witch, is there anything you would like from there (skull jewelry, art prints from an artist that catch your eye, etc), or anyone whose autograph or photo or such you would dig?
Not that I can think of. I do like (small) skulls in jewelry, especially if they look like sugar skulls.
What is your holy grail "I'd kill to just have one drop in an imp" bpal scent?
Ice Queen. I’ve just kind of talked myself into pretending to believe that it would smell awful on me.
Are there any existing Weenies that you have your eye on, but haven't gotten around to getting?
I signed up for decants of everything that interested me so far. Of course, Part II hasn’t been released yet. (I was pretty happy that I’d gotten off so easy with the Weenies this year—wow, that sounds wrong, huh?—but then I found out that there was going to be a second part.)
if you wear earrings, do you have pierced ears?
I do, and I do. But NB, dear Witch, my ears were pierced when I was two years old and I think that’s why the holes are so small. So you know those earrings where the ear wires get bigger/wider in the middle? I can’t wear those. They won’t fit. Also, anything too heavy will just pull at my ears, so large stones (I have a pair of beautiful spectrolite earrings made by Alicia that I can’t wear and am going to give to my mother) are out. I can wear metal and small stones just fine, though.
