neptuneanblues

Here I will collect the answers to in-thread questions for the Fall 2013 Switch Witch round (until I decide this is too long and make a third entry about it). Hey, Witchee, it's getting cold. Socks, scarves, hats or arm warmers? No hats please. Otherwise, sure. Though honestly, due to the mild weather where I live, I so rarely wear scarves that I think I'm already pretty well served in that department. Halloween Candy, Decorations, and Costume supplies - What kind are your idea of FUN and which ones would you thoroughly dislike? candy: maybe if it's chocolate? some more info about candy preferences is included in my questionnaire as far as I know. decorations: I like halloween decorations that depict cats or candy corn, and also like purple or black glittery stuff (I've seen glittery foam skulls or spiders, for example). costume supplies: can't really think of anything, haven't dressed up for for Halloween in quite awhile. I used to wear cat ears all year round, but I think I personally am about 10 years too old for that now (I'm 32), not that I have problems with others older than me wanting to dress up or anything. WHAT traditions to you partake in for Halloween? Don't really have any. My husband and I would like to stay in and have trick-or-treaters, but we didn't really get any in the town where we lived for the last 4 years. Since we moved over the summer, hopefully our new neighborhood will be different... many of our neighbors have elaborate decorations, so hopefully that is a good sign. Are you a fan of anything that you would like a tshirt of? If so, what size would you wear? Not sure about fandom tees in general. Here are tees I like on etsy that are under $20, can edit with others if I find others: DJ John Leo constellation tee As for t-shirt sizes, womens would be L or XL, juniors would be XL or XXL, and mens would be M or L Do you love, hate, or are indifferent to.....pumpkin flavored things? Mostly indifferent, I guess. Dear future Witchee, did you get anything from the Beaver Moon or Weenie updates that I need to know about, so I don't accidentally repeat anything? I did not purchase anything from those updates. As for recent questions, I'm not really into owning DVDs/movies (if there are any exceptions they would be on my amazon wish list, but I'm not sure whether any are even listed there), and will need to give the Starbucks/Teavana question some more thought, so will update that one later. *EDIT* about Starbucks/Teavana: maybe the green tea concentrate? And I can't really find anything at Teavana, it all seems a bit too expensive given the spending limit for this swap. Oh, and I don't have a Pinterest... I guess I'm "an old." Say your witch works at a used bookstore. what kinds of things might you like from there? cool old pulp fiction paperbacks? tarot cards? (we have those.) a dr who pen? books about haunted cemeteries in seattle? you may have all of these things:) oh, and also movies. and cds. As another has mentioned already, I'm pretty sure you are talking about Half Price Books, a place that my husband and I frequent. I may sound like a broken record here, but this would probably be another good time to look to my Amazon wishlist. I would be fine with receiving anything on it in used form. As for the specific examples listed, I guess I wouldn't mind a Dr. Who pen, though I'm not much of a fan of modern Dr. Who due to the scary monsters. Witchee, the Haunt Halloween update goes live tomorrow! When it does, please post right away and let me know your dreams and wishes! Not sure if this is what you're talking about, but I guess I'll assume so. The Candy Corn lip balm sounds nice. Out of the scents listed, Gloomy Sunday sounds best, but I don't really use non-BPAL perfumes even if I own them, and am not sure that I like the idea of Sugar Polish or Skin Glossing Oil. Maybe if there was something more like a lotion? I've got some canned goods put up -- mostly jams/jellies, some apple butter, some applesauce. Want some? If so, what kind(s)? That would be very cool. My husband loves apple butter but I just like it okay. Neither of us like applesauce. So maybe the jams/jellies? How feel you about lip balms, glosses, and lipsticks? Any particular favourite scents/flavours? Any favourite makers/sellers? I do not own or wear lipstick. I do wear lipgloss and lip balms... I like the tube/stick form better than the stuff that's in a jar or pot. I used to really like the "chai rose" lip balm from Badger brand, but I am not sure whether that stuff is still around. Actually, this isn't much of a question, more of a request: Since wishlist links never seem to work in forum mail, won't you please re-post your wishlist links here, so they're readable? I mentioned this in my last post here... these can be accessed via my signature. My BPAL wishlist is linked there, and there is also a link to my blog on the forum... the first "Fall 2013 Switch Witch" entry has the other links in it (the second has my answers to these questions so far). Table Games - do you play them? If so, which ones, and which versions, and are there any goodies you might like related to them? I own/play Mastermind and Trivial Pursuit, and would play Perquackey if I had it (looks like it's pretty inexpensive online right now, too). My husband and I used to have a couple of expansion-pack type things for Trivial Pursuit, one was about music, and the other was this one. If you find those hanging around at a thrift store or something I wouldn't mind having them again. In general I hate playing games so would not really be interested in other games of any kind. Witchee, are you in need of any particular spices? I personally can't think of any that I need right now, but will definitely update this in my blog if I do. *UPDATE* If you find some good chile/chili powder or have a favorite one, I wouldn't mind receiving some. What do you think of hair sticks? Would you like a set? I think they are nice in theory... I may sort of have enough hair for them, but don't think I would actually use hair sticks if I had them, considering that I already have a nice collection of barrettes that I no longer wear. Are there any craft project/s you are working on now that you need supplies for? Or rather, is there a craft project you've been wanting to do but need stuff to start? I need a plate-hanger to hang up a really big plate, but I guess that's not really a "craft" since I didn't make the plate. Nothing else comes to mind. Is there anything you'd really like to have/try from Trader Joe's, or any other popular-but-not-available-everywhere store? Hmm... someone has already mentioned Cookie Butter... I went to a Trader Joe's 2 days ago but that substance was sadly nowhere to be found. I'd definitely still like to try it if it is available. I will try to think of whether I am desiring other items from faraway stores and will update if I think of something. Oh! Ikea often has napkins (the larger square ones, not the smaller rectangular ones) with cute prints, and I live pretty far away from Ikea now.... Witchee, would you like a set of Cards Against Humanity? No thanks! Would you rather have something fun or practical? Either or both. Are you okay with semi-spicy foods right now? I'm thinking like curry or chipotle? If you were to choose a chili powder would you go Hot, Medium, or Mild? Semi-spicy is fine, and for chili powder/salsa type stuff I usually go with Medium. I know this wasn't actually part of the question, but I do like chocolate with chile... of course, that's pretty standard in Texas. If you were this mystery witch's witchee, would you be interested in Spoonfudge or any other such "ordered online" sweet? Hmm... not sure. Spoonfudge does not seem all that intriguing to me. As for other brands, I had ordered some caramels from Fusion Sweets for my husband for Christmas and really liked them, but I just looked at their website and their etsy, and they seem to have drastically pared down their selection, so there really doesn't seem to be anything interesting there right now. Double checking everyone's baked goods status. Home-made baked goods or other food stuffs OK? A-O-K as long as they fit in with preferences previously stated. Speak to me of jewelry! If you like earrings, what kind? Dangly earrings, hoops, studs - what kind do you like? How long do you like your necklaces? Or would you prefer to just get a pendent, so you can size the chain yourself? Details, they make me happy. earrings: any and all would be fine. necklaces: I would rather have necklaces than just pendants. I do not usually wear necklaces of super-short choker length due to comfort issues. I believe I put necklace measurements in my original questionnaire. Is there anything you'd like from Lush, witchee? Christmas Eve bubble bar Shoot for the Stars bath bomb Lord of Misrule bath bomb Demon in the Dark soap (I think that shower gels are kind of priced out of this round unless one gets the tiny size, but if you really want to know, look at my answers for past swaps in earlier blog entries....) If I were your witch and were to paint you something, what would you absolutely love, what would you feel ambivalent toward, and what would you not like to see or receive? not really into this, sorry. Miskatonic update? Interested in decants of Marche Funebre and Totentanz. Probably buying a bottle of La Lugubre for myself, so don't get me that. Dear Witchee: Do you have any upcoming away time I should be aware of, for shipping purposes? Not so much. It's possible that I may stay overnight somewhere once or something, but not really probable and I doubt that'd seriously affect shipping. New Question:Would you like anything from Sock Dreams? Yes, definitely... but I haven't looked at that site in awhile so probably need to figure out exactly what. I think there are some guidelines in past blog entries for other swaps... there's also the gift certificate option as someone has already mentioned. I'll try to look at SockDreams today or tomorrow and post with specifics, hopefully I will get around to it. *EDIT* here are some I like/want: these in the colors that are neutral or blue need another pair of these in ivory, though the caviar and graphite colors look nice as well wouldn't mind another pair of these in either available color these look very nice hmm... these in mocha these look really pretty in navy Hope that helps! -Your feelings on Adagio teas: If you've never had anything from them, would you be open to trying them? If you HAVE had them and like them, name some favorites blends. I've never had them but would definitely be open to trying them. I think I said some stuff about tea type preferences in my original questionnaire? -Do you like video games? Are there any you want to play? Do you have a large library? Never have and likely never will, sorry! -Name three BPAL scents you have tried, but are dying to get more of. I have a wishlist section of this, but I guess narrowing down from that I'd choose Banshee Beat, Shortbread Snowflakes, and either Eat me or No. 93 Engine. -Have you ever tried anything from Paintbox Soapworks? Which products or scents would you prefer? I've had some of the sample-size glycerin-type soaps and liked some of them. But I maybe go through one of those a year since I use that size only for handwashing and they last a long time. I'm really more interested in the hot process/coconut-free soaps (not because they're coconut-free though, I love coconut... I just like this kind of soap better than glycerin soap)... out of what's in stock now, The Natural, Second Breakfast, The Olive Tree, Nekisse, Mandinka, and Whiskers sound nice. -Do you like/have space to garden? If so, what do you grow? not a fan. gave up on growing things after the second time my house burned down. -Gift cards/vouchers - yay or nay? If you like them - which stores would you like one for? I guess the ones I've already mentioned? The only other ones I can think of are Lush and maybe ThinkGeek. --Seen anything lately that makes you go OH HOLY FUCK THAT'S AWESOME!! ? nothing specific comes to mind. --Name five small things you could use, but might not think to get for yourself? maybe some cookbook page flags? or a new flashdrive? or glitter food? I've also been interested in Zoya's Renew And I'd still love some address labels to put on outgoing mail, even if you just typed them on your computer and printed them out onto a sheet of labels. -Is there anything from a farmer's market you might like? Hmm... I've already mentioned jams and jellies, can't really think of much else that would be ship-able. Maybe chocolate stuff or baked goods if you think they'd survive the journey. *EDIT* Honey would be nice too. How do you feel about nail polish? If you like it, are there any brands or colors in which you are interested? I think I talked some about nail polish in my original questionnaire. I constantly have my nails painted... if they aren't painted I will pick at them in public which is obviously no good. Prettymuch any color but pink would work... I just think I already have enough pink. I think I originally said I really wanted Rainbow Honey's Mare of the Moon polish in a larger size since I just had the mini, but when I checked the site last week the whole Equestria collection was gone. So use your own judgement if you want to get me nail polish, I guess! I do like glitter and I don't like matte or textured (sand, etc.) nail polishes. What about makeup? What brands do you prefer and which products would you most enjoy receiving? I do own makeup (well, powder, concealer, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, anyway... I don't own lipstick or blush), but I basically only wear it to job interviews (which hopefully I won't be going to for awhile) or a couple of times a year for special occasions, so I don't really need more. Are you interested in anything from the Haus of Gloi yule update on November 3rd? Which products and which scents? Will update later in blog because I'm too tired to go through the list right now. *EDIT* Three Treasures soap Eggnoggin Pumpkin butter Plotters Breakfast soap If I made fairy, dragon or butterfly wing earrings, would you wear them? If so, which would you prefer? I'm finding this a bit hard to picture so would probably need to see an example, sorry. Is there anything you would like from the Blooddrop Halloween update? Will also update this one later in my blog. *EDIT* no Hallween items are "jumping out at me," haha, but I wouldn't mind trying the lip balm in Candied Violet or Green Tea & Honey, or the Flutter in Lavender Honey. New question: Do you prefer to receive whole coffee beans or ground? Also, if you like flavoured blends, what sort of flavours? (caramels, nuts, chocolate, etc.) Either whole or ground would be fine. I'm a big fan of coconut coffee and also like cinnamon coffee. Otherwise probably not much on flavors. New question: How do you feel about robots? They are fine but somehow kind of remind me of the "emo" trend from the early 00s. What are you guys doing for Halloween? Going to hope for trick-or-treaters and also hopefully make/eat ramen burgers. I feel much the same as mermaidsdream. Dear Witch: Are there any GC scents that you love, but for whatever reason, you keep putting off buying bottles of? I think I mentioned some in answer to a previous question, but I'd like to add Satyr and Kumari Kandam to those. Hmm... and I sold my bottle of The White Rider awhile back when I really needed money, so wouldn't mind having that again either. If your Witch were to create a cookbook of recipes she thought you'd like, would you be interested in that sort of thing? And if so, what sort of recipes would you be interested in? a. sure! b. whatever's fine, I guess, but I don't really mess with yeast (the live stuff, I mean, I'm cool with nutritional yeast) so wouldn't get much use out of recipes that use it. Well, and I don't eat much red meat other than the occasional crockpot roast... just not my thing. Hope that helps. Also witch do you like use candles? Yes, definitely. I'm not much for the votive or tealight size though, I don't really use those if I receive them, so something a little bigger than that would be better. If you are wondering about scented candles, I like most types of scents other than ones that are like generic holiday spice or extremely berry-scented. Would you be interested in getting a kit of sorts to learn how to do a craft or make something, with some basic starter materials and instructions? And if yes, what sorts of things would you be interested in learning? Nope, I wish I had the energy for something like that, but I just don't.

Here are some links from my original questionnaire since I know that the long ones can get cut off when copied and pasted. BPAL wishlist $10-ish item that I mentioned wanting (15ml bottle of Rainbow Honey's Mare of the Moon nail polish) *EDIT* Oh, and I thought of another thing, that might even be under $10 depending... some good (unpopped/non-microwave) popcorn! I used to have some of the Renaissance-Festival type stuff that pops up really huge and puffy, but ran out of it over the summer and bought a small jar at TJ Maxx or something which was okay, but I'll probably be out of it fairly soon as well. So if you have the hookup for some good popcorn, that'd be great! I think the amazon wishlist link is actually short enough but here it is anyway Not going to link to my blog since you're obviously already here.

You could also try buying from the sales pages here on the forum. I know I just saw Cloister Graveyard... for sale here, and since Snow White has been released many different years, it shows up on sales pages somewhat often. I have never smelled the perfume you are looking for so don't know if those two are actually similar to it, but if you want to try them (or most likely other perfumes mentioned in reviews as being similar) you should be able to purchase them here on the forum.

Just thought of another one (a more recent LE, so it could be easier to find)... how about Variety of Pleasing Amusements? Since the notes are honey, leather, tobacco, and myrrh, it might work. *EDIT* The Antikythera Mechanism is a very popular sweet tobacco scent... doesn't have honey but could still be worth a try.

The Illustrated Woman might work for you, though there are other notes involved and it can be a bit hard to find. There is also Tobacco Honey but that wouldn't have the added spices... I'm sure that people who are more into tobacco scents will have additional ideas.

Re-testing Blood Pearl today, and on me it's definitely awesome and non-foody. Black Pearl was in my first imp pack ever back in 2009, but it was a bit too sunnybeachy for me or something. I'm finding Blood Pearl to be kind of light and interesting and just the right amount of feminine....

I was wondering if Dragon's Milk might fit the bill... the notes don't exactly match but it may have a similar feel....

The only vetiver blend that works on me is A Golden Idol, for sure. I believe the only "wine" blend that works on me is Halloween: Las Vegas, but I'm not totally sure about that one (it's possible that something else with wine works on me).

I usually wear Snake Oil blends when I want something long-lasting... at past years of South by Southwest I've worn Womb Furie and Western Diamondback, and today when we went out to listen to live music I really wanted to wear Smoky Moon 2012, but put on a little Snake Oil itself so that I'd be sure to at least smell like some kind of scent when the day was done. I think Halloween: Las Vegas has also worked for this sort of thing. So maybe Snake Oil + something fruity? Mme. Moriarty might also be long-lasting in the same way if you have that (I previously had a decant of it but it wasn't my thing).

I agree with these two recommendations, and add Vasilissa: creamy skin musk and blushing pink musk with soft sandalwood, white amber, dutiful myrrh, and star jasmine.

How about Dragon's Milk? It's quite popular and has honeyed vanilla, and Dragon's Blood resin can be spicy on some people (on others it's floral). These don't have honey, but I also wonder if you might like Golden Priapus or Tombstone since you like vanilla and pine together....

I find Tombstone to be similar to Banshee Beat, but I may be the only one!

The Lights of Men's Lives is already on my wishlist but not for this reason, oddly enough =p I wanted it for my beeswax fix. The reviews I've read say that it's mostly pure beeswax with some vanilla but no smoke? I guess I just need to try it, huh? =] I counted after doing a search on the word "smoke" within the review topic (not counting the reviewers who said something like "I don't smell smoke at all"), and around 25 of the reviewers did smell at least a hint of smoke in The Lights of Men's Lives. It's been a long time since I tested it, and I don't think I did perceive the smoke note, but it looks like some people did.

The Lights of Men's Lives (I linked so that you can read the reviews) may work... to me it is a lot sweeter than the description sounds, so it definitely has a "vanilla-and-candles" feel, in my opinion. Lyonesse doesn't seem to exactly fit the bill, but is quite popular and a different take on vanilla....

I believe my husband applies his BPAL behind his ears (so yeah, that basically counts as in his hair but this is just a more specific location), and that seems like it'd work even for a shirt with a very high collar like that.

This one has some of the same notes, but I may come back to this if I think of a closer match.

Okay then. Also, if you can find the prototype LULU7 (reviews here) for sale or swap 'round these parts, that might work for you as well... it's most likely a Last Unicorn proto (which I actually like better than The Last Unicorn)... it seems to perhaps be regular chocolate rather than white chocolate, and maybe a bit tangier.

OMG, white chocolate and sugared violets? No kidding, I have to have this - what else smells like this? I'm guessing it's gone, since it sounds like a LE? Thanks! Actually, The Last Unicorn smells a lot like it. Which sort of makes sense as the notes to The Last Unicorn are Frosty lilac petals, iris pallida root, orris, violet leaf, white chocolate, coconut, wild lettuce, white sandalwood, and oakmoss. *EDIT* And yes, like I said in that quoted post from a year ago, White Chocolate and Sugared Violets was a Lupercalia LE from 2009. But you might be able to find it in the sale/swap sections here on the forum, and The Last Unicorn is available now at least....

I'd definitely recommend Dragon's Eye for lilac.

I really love Greed and feel that the oakmoss is noticeable in it. I also really like Ronin, I think that might be a somewhat hard to find LE though.... *EDIT* It seems like oakmoss is unexpectedly in some other scents that I really like, such as Crowley, Les Infortunes de la Vertue, The Last Unicorn (well, okay, I knew that had oakmoss, but the note doesn't seem prominent to me in the blend), and Salome. Lemme see if this link works....

I second Perversion. And how about Anne Bonny? She was a badass pirate lady and the perfume is definitely not sweet or flowery. And finally, I do find Bien Loin D'Ici to be both strong and sexy....

I wore A Golden Idol yesterday, and will probably wear Thousands of Lights tomorrow on Christmas Eve. Of course planning to wear The Clock Strikes Midnight on New Year's Eve. Oddly, not sure yet as to what I'll wear on Christmas Day.

I found Alecto to be very cedar-y indeed.

You might like Urd: Muscadine, black and red patchouli, cereus and nag champa. I thought about Baghdad or L'Examen de Minuit for you, but both of them have at least one note that you may not like. You still may want to check them out/read their reviews though. As for campfire type stuff for your roommate, maybe Djinn: The scent of black smoke, of crackling flames, and smoldering ashes.

How Doth the Little Crocodile was mentioned previously, and I also think it's a good candidate. The cedar and oakmoss make it not entirely foody, but it's definitely chocolatey and interesting. I wish it worked for me, but I amp cedar, so it doesn't.