Ina Garten Davita

Chaos Theory Fragrant Fractal LXXXVII (87) received in a swap with Vicious Mistress First Impression: A spice blend...I smell cinnamon and clove. Second Impression: Mulling spices and musk, possibly black musk. It's not dry, but I wouldn't call it sweet either. This is a perfect non-foody Thanksgiving-Christmas scent. It's even a bit sexy in that come and snuggle me way. Final Analysis: The third time is the charm. This smells ever so nice on my skin and it's begging for cold weather. I'll be taking this lovely with me to Boston when we visit for Thanksgiving.

Tamora and Fae are wonderfully candy sweet. They layer ever so well with my Pink Sugar body lotion.

Well Miss Manners, it seems you got lucky with a yet-to-be-released prototype. How nice...be sure to do a review in the Up and Comings for us and let us know all about it!

A freebie from the lab that I would never have tried. Thanks First Impression: Blow your head off cherries, that cherry note from Seraglio and Black Phoenix it seems to my nose. Second Impression: For as loud as the cherries leap out of the imp, they don't stay long. As soon as the oil is dry, they're gone. Yay! A gorgeous, lush red musk/star anise blend remains. Sexy and creamy. Final Analysis: So glad I got to try this, another keeper. Just beautiful.

First Impression: Dragon's blood resin, sweet cloves and myrrh Second Impression: Blood is an absolute must for anyone who likes dragon's blood resin. This is one of the best yet. It's sweet and spicy, dark and thick, juicy and dangerous. Final Analysis: Keeper. Will be needing more.

First Impression: Oh neroli! Second Impression: I wanted Masquerade because it's my favorite number from Phantom of the Opera and it does make me want to break into song. But I'll spare you, you know the words. It's bright and mysterious...like the treasure box you want to open but are afraid of what's inside. After the neroli steps aside slightly the carnation spice comes into play. Final Analysis: I always use neroli in my oil burner, it's one of my favorite room scents. I like it as a perfume too.

First Impression: I want to say that I smell palmarosa. Crucible of Courage has a very "essential oil" smell about it. Second Impression: Oh how lovely this blooms. The initial sharpness mellows out and sweetens to honeyed spices and roses. Final Analysis: Rob and I are starting the green card process and I wanted this to wear to the final interview. Not only will I be brave under the questioning of the validity of our marriage but I'll also smell gorgeous. Thanks Beth

First Impression: Yes, indeed the holy grail of all Vanilla. Second Impression: Thick, rich, sweet and creamy. All of those wonderful qualities but not overly foody or sickly at all. Final Analysis: This alone or layered is a wonderful addition to any BPAL collection.

First Impression: This *is* the bride's bouquet in Disney's Haunted Mansion. Second Impression: The heliotrope keep this from being a cloying white floral. It adds a brightness, a sense of hope to the sadness and longing. Final Analysis: On me, it's very much like Veil without the sharp violet bite. I love it and when my Veil bottle runs out, I will replace it with Eternal.

Lovely ebonykawai threw this in with a swap! First Impression: Oh, lush roses! Second Impression: Another nice rose blend, but I much prefer Persephone. The rose notes are very similar but the narcissus just doesn't seem to work on my skin. Final Analysis: A lovely rose blend that unfortunately doesn't like me.

First Impression: Aniseed and curry. Second Impression: Pure spice without a trace of sweetness. Like being in a curry house waiting for your Tikka Masala. Final Analysis: I really like the smell of this, but not on me as a perfume. It did layer really well with vanilla bean single note.

Egyptian Goddess has been my signature scent since the early 90's. I still keep a full bottle on hand at all times, even since finding BPAL. I've tried over 200 of Beth's blends and none of them smell like Goddess, not that I think they should mind you. I wear and enjoy all of my BPAL scents but I still wear and enjoy my Goddess too.

First Impression: Horehound candies. Second Impression: Stop laughing, that's what it smells like. As it dries it smells a bit like witch hazel dribbled over horehound candies. Final Analysis: I didn't want Has No Hanna as perfume but as it's intended as a bit of a good luck charm. I'll keep a dab of this on me here and there to keep the good times rolling.

This was a lovely gift from Vicious Mistress. (Thanks!) First Impression: Sharp and sweet at the same time. Second Impression: As Dissipation blooms it softens and turns into a lovely sasparilla tinged floral. I'm having a hard time describing the scent, but when it's dry on my skin it smells like a sweet and sophisticated perfume with the feeling (though not the smell) of Dior's Poison. Final Analysis: I would never had tried this myself and really pleased that I got to. This is an intersting blend that works well with my skin. This will be a good cool weather fragrance.

First Impression: Light, wispy and green. Second Impression: As Empyreal Mist "blooms" it reminds me of an ultra-sheer version of Veil and I really like it. It has that ethereal yet sophisticated feel to it but for when I'm in the mood to surround myself with something soft and light. I smell white tea, orris and maybe the barest hint of something violet-like. Final Analysis: If you find Veil to potent, this is a perfect alternative. Ethereal, lighter than air and lovely.

First Impression: Pine or fir. Like a girlie version of Black Forest. Second Impression: Yes, still the pine-like woods, some girlie musk and a touch of creamy vanilla. Final Analysis: The longer drydown reveals a lemony scent not unlike that of Van Van. Oh why did this turn to lemon on me? I'll have to try this out with its intended use before I decide to keep or pass it on.

This was a lovely gift from ViciousMistress! First Impression: Sticky, fruity bubble gum...when you first start chewing and all the sugars start melting. A tiny undercurrent of kiddie's strawberry/cherry cough liquid. Second Impression: The fruitiness starts to meld into a spice-like scent, to my utter joy. A dash of clove and a pinch of cinnamon, but still gummy-sweet. Final Analysis: I really like this and I can't wait to enjoy the benefits of it beyond the spicy sweet scent. I think I'm going to layer this with Virgo on my birthday Wednesday. That should make for a super day.

First Impression: Roses blooming in a cold rain. Second Impression: Old London is roses with a touch of hazel. It's very old fashioned...white gloves and bustles, hansom cabs and a posh accent. Final Analysis: Good staying power. Not my favorite rose blend, but lovely. I will enjoy using the imp.

I got Katharina as a gift from the lovely hypothermya First Impression: Juicy, ripe apricots dribbled with thick fresh cream. Second Impression: It's a rare fruit blend that smells good on me and I'm pleased that this is one of them. The apricots are strong and ripe but blended with something so creamy, it almost reminds me of coconut. On the long drydown the orange blossom and musk make their presence known, but the creaminess lasts. Final Analysis: Katharina has good throw and nice staying power. I'll enjoy the imp and may even consider a larger purchase of this in the future.

First Impression: Whoa, knock your socks off tangy cranberry. Second Impression: This is strong. Sharp and tangy cranberry is all I can smell. This may be way too fruity for me. Final Analysis: Me and fruit, we just don't play well together most of the time. I don't get any of the lovely lillies, musks or spices. Just sharp and tangy berries. A bit much for me.

Chaos Theory Fragrant Fractal CXXIII (123) recieved in a swap with blackrayne. First Impression: Sweet oranges. Second Impression: This isn't the juice from a fresh orange, this is the oil that sprays as you tear the skin from the ripe fruit. There is something else here too, something deeper. Final Analysis: It's a mood uplifter but it's just not me. I don't do well with fruity scents, for the most part. I must find this a good home.

Van Van. OMG, it's strong and long lasting. I slathered with Lilith this morning, but because I was going to coffee morning with all my girlies in honor of my birthday, I applied a teeny dab of Van Van between my boosies for an extra boost and it's all I can smell, even now nearly 7 hours later. Even dabbing one had with Chaos and the other with Lampades...still smell the Van Van. And it really does give a total confidence boost when one is going to be the center of attention.

Veil always gets compliments from the other girlies husbands. And my chiropractor *loves* just about every BPAL I've ever worn during an appointment...Veil, Love Me, Desire and Old Morocco to name a few.

First Impression: Carnation and cloves, smells a bit like Alice. Second Impression: On, Carnivale is a whole different story. I wanted this because of my love for heliotrope and it has not disappointed. The clovey carnation smell soon steps back and lets bright heliotrope, warm amber and juicy berries play wonderfully together. Final Analysis: This wasn't love at first smell, but the third time's the charm. Bright, juicy...warm and charming. Beautiful!

First Impression: Sweet warm spices. Second Impression: The cinnamon note in Chimera is sweet and honeyed, winter wonderland rather than red hot candy. Sometimes cinnamon blends fare better as room scents then as perfume, but Chimera would stand up to double duty. It's a bit foody and not at all "craft-shop-y". The honeysuckle is adding honey sweetness, the myrrh brings depth. Final Analysis: This will be a fantastic winter perfume, I only wish it had more oomph on my skin.