kakiphony

Finally tried the decant I have had languishing in a "to be tried pile for forever" and am sort of shocked at the results. I expected something pretty mild and close to the skin -- vanillas with resins tend to dry close to me and be very nice, only smellable if you hug me, work appropriate sort of scents. I applied a tiny bit of this to my left wrist and then rubbed it with my right wrist. That's all. I am amping something in this wildly. This is NOT a close to my skin scent -- this is wafting all over the place to the extent that I kind of think I should go wash it off before my officemate gets here. However, it is smells GOOD to me, not bad. So I am torn. This is very heavy on the clove, which is riding on a wafting, very floral and powdery vanilla. I'm not getting much depth from the resins, this is all powder and clove. If I had to give this lace a color, I'd say it's yellowed, old fashioned, thick lace -- the kind that you'd find in doilies or large collars of victorian dresses, but OLD and having been stored in an attic with scent balls for ages and ages.

Like so many of the reviewers before me, I find myself asking: How did I wait so long to try this? I think the lilac and musk scared me. Florals tend to make me sneeze and a lot of musks go old man... But not this one! In the decant: Complex, perfumey, sweet and herbal, with a little of something dry in the background that might be the leather.. Wet on skin: A little musk and a lot of leather, but somehow also this reads as very herbal to my nose (this could be the ti leaf). The lilac is there I think, but is NOT a sweet blossom scent if that makes any sense... Early dry down (about 20 minutes): As this fades on me the throw gets closer to the skin and the scent becomes more blended and complex. It is hard to pick out individual notes, but I smell good. It's more feminine that I imagined, and it has grown sweeter with a bit of really dry leather in the background that makes it almost powdery (or sueded). Late dry down (a couple of hours): This is a very light scent and quite traditionally feminine on me. The lilac never did come on too strong -- it reminds me of blossoms that were left in a vase to dry out and crumble. It's the top note, riding on a base of powdery leather and quite sweet skin musk. Overall, the impress I am getting is of a sweet, subtle floral and herbal blend that soaked into the collar of a suede blazer years ago, and that you can still smell when you hold it up to your nose and sniff. This is pearls worn with gray suede. I think I love it.

In the bottle: Strong red musk with unidentifiable spices and a musty herbal tone. Really, the red musk is very dominant. Wet on skin: Strong, spicy red musk a lot of spicy heat from the pimento. Strong and unsubtle. More fire than blood to my nose. Early dry down (10-15 minutes): The red musk and spice in this is reminding me very much of how Vixen used to dry down on me before my skin chemistry started to change with middle age: Spicy, dry, Amish style ginger molasses cookies mixed with the inside of a cedar chest. There's a dry, not quite powdery (more sawdusty) quality, along with spices. Late dry down (hours after application: I kept expecting some of the other notes like tobacco and vanilla or rose to show up at some point during the dry down period, but they never really did. On me, this is a red musk heavy blend and stays spicy and hot rather than ever getting dark, blood, or too complex. While the initial throw was strong, as this dried down it became much fainter and it wears very close to my skin (I like this quality). What I'm left with a spicy, almost powdery red musk scent. I maintain that, to me, this is a very fiery scent. It's oddly not at all what I expected from the description and I completely blame my (new, less fun) wonky skin chemistry.

New Sock Dreams wishlist (I only just learned they had this function and I do love window shopping...): http://www.sockdreams.com/_users/wishlists/6167acd8de66b7b Chaos Theory: Bottles/imps more than once (or ANY repeated items for that matter!) are with me. In fact, I think a little varied repetition can be fun. (Really, someone could just send me 13 different candy bars and I'd be perfectly content!) Sizes: I think I listed sizes, but in case not... Women's cut Ts in a medium, tights in s/m or a/b or one size or whatever, and socks in the size that fits a size 7 shoe (which is the bog standard size). Forearms size: My forearms are skinny. I think my wrist has about a 6 inch circumference. I had to have the jeweler take like 4 links out of my watch... Foreign items: Yes please to candy, cookies/biscuits, food, drinks, whatever (odd stuff is fun too!). I'm also kind of a fan of cozy British romance novels and mysteries. Yarn: I like wool, cotton... really everything. The thing I dislike is the yarn that pills the minute you wear it, but I am so craft challenged I don't even know what that is. I adore cowls, fingerless gloves, scarves (straight or infinity), cute little hats, and shawls. I don't wear those head/ear bands because they slide right off my head (my hair is super slippery!) Homemade baked goods/candy: Love. Not dietary restrictions. Pens: My daily pens are Pilot Precise V5 Rolling Ball Extra Fine (the kind with the little window in the size that shows the ink). I can always use more as my husband is a pen thief. I use blue and red, and would love to also have green and purple. Not so much black. My question: If you are a tea lover, are there any companies or vendors that you would particularly like to try (etsy, teavana, republic, stash, adagio, etc)? I'm intrigued by a lot of the fandom blends on adagio (like the Magic Potions, Women of Comics, Sherlock, Game of Thrones, the female classic authors series, the Buffy series that contains Love's Bitch, etc) as well as the Harry Potter blends from easy vendor Worts and Cunning (which sadly, now seem to be unavailable). I am also a big, big fan of the Kusmi teas. I'd love to try tea by Dammann Freres (which I just heard is the brand served for High Tea at Bergdorf Goodman). But really, I'm always happy to try almost anything!!! (And I will add that single/a few bags of things are FINE for tea trying, especially for a days long swap. I know whole boxes can be expensive, so if it's something you have, feel free to just grab me a sample!) Dearest swappee, have you seen the launch of this year's Yankee Candle Boney Bunch line as well as other Halloween items from there? Are there any you'd particularly like to get? The adorbs tart warmer? The taper candle holder, perhaps? Yankee Candle is a mystery to me, simply because I can't actually walk into the store. Too many scents in too small a space makes my sinuses go insane. However, this does not mean I don't like candles and tarts. I do! I just rarely shop for them in person in a store devoted just to them. Because this question came up, I actually went to the website to browse. The Boney Bunch decorations are not my cub of tea (see my questionnaire comments about not dusting), but the simpler votive holders (skeletons, witches, the crow and pumpkin silhouettes) are awesome as is the Steam Pumpkin Gears jar candle holder. Of the fragrances, Happy Halloween sounds good, and I know from past experience that I like: Balsam & Cedar, Harvest, Pumpkin Ginger Bark, Sage & Citrus, and Treehouse Memories. I'm also a big fan of Archipelago Botanicals candles (which I tend to be able to find at huge markdowns at TJ Maxx), especially Havana, Milano, Stonehenge and Babylon, and I've been keeping my eyes peeled for anything and everything from the Wood collection on sale! I don't remember if I have a candles/tarts section on my etsy wish lists, but if I don't, I should. I need to do an overhaul there at some point in the near future. I'll update here if I find the time... In general, I tend to like candles and tarts that are either wood/resinous (but not patchouli), lemon/herbal, or spicy. I do NOT like musk or patchouli in candles, am not a fan of fruits, or florals, and sweet scents need to be ground with spice or resin. Thank clean, masculine, deep and subtle rather than rich, sweet, or lush. What are your favorite tv shows, movies, topics of geekery, famous persons, specific objects (like tarot or harpsichords), memes, cultures etc. that you would like to receive items themed around? Wow! That is a seriously broad question which I will do my best to answer. TV Shows/Movies: I still love Harry Potter and happily welcome Slytherin (my Pottermore house) and Ravenclaw (my Sorting Elite house) items. I love a lot of other media, but I don't think any of them would lend themselves well to items I would use, although subtle Wonder Woman items are great. My wish lists tend to gravitate more toward literary themed items like Poe, Shakespeare, children's books, etc. I like library and book themed items, as well as microbrewery stuffs (t-shirts, stickers, etc), and I have seen very few fox and tree adorned items I didn't like. I don't think there are any particular cultures I am interested in, except to say that I am a fan of learning how to cook from MANY cultures, and international food tends to fascinate and inspire me. If you've said you like coffee: Do you prefer whole beans or ground? Do you like flavored coffees? If you've said you like coffee: Do you prefer whole beans or ground? Do you like flavored coffees? I very, very rarely drink coffee any more as my stomach hates the acid. When I do, it's pour-over whole bean, not to be a snob, but just because it is less likely to make me ill. Is there an item that you would like but you never seem to buy for yourself as other things often take preference (darn those bills)? Not in particular. I've been on and off no-buys for a while, so my perfume oil, bath and body, jewelry, and tights addictions have been very meagerly fed. If you listed you like books: what kind of books? What are your favorites? Do you also like the "English classics"? Are there any books or writers that you really don't like? I am what might be described as a discriminating dabbler. That is, I read authors and books from a very wide variety of styles and genres, but I have a limited tolerance for bad writing, trite or formulaic plots, and bad characterizations. Of course, some things I love other people think fall smack into those problems so... The best thing to do is probably to look at the "What I am Reading Now" thread for my various posts (which give opinions on things I have read) and my (huge, crazy) amazon wishlist, which contains the stuff that at some point I saw in a blog and thought "Hey, I might like that" or is by authors I know I like. What are your favorite musicians, favorite singers or bands? Anything or anyone you really don't like? I'm not sure I have favorites. I listen widely and like a lot, although most of what I discover "new" tends to be at least a few years old because I am just not that hip. Lately, I've been seeding a Pandora Station with the Alabama 3 and that has led me to The Heavy which I really love. My other most listened to Pandora stations start with the B-52s (lots of fun 80s), Talking Heads, and David Byrne. I listen to a lot of alt-country, and I think if I can seed my personal station around a theme rather than a band it might be something like "Subversive gospel with ska, blues, punk, rock and electronica influences." Do you like Japanese/Korean snackies? If so do you prefer sweet/savory or both? I have no idea? There are none out there that are tried and true favorites, and I'm not sure I've ever tried any Korean ones... I can say that I am a fan of Japanese Kit-Kats, but not so much of pocky (OK, not earth shattering) and seaweed crisps (pretty gross). I like both savory and sweet, although my sweet tastes tend to be more on the chocolate end than the fruity/gummy spectrum. Do you prefer light lotions or thick butters and do you like scented or unscented? Both textures (thick is for hands, elbows and knees, light is for everywhere else) and I like both scented and unscented, although I prefer light scents to strong/wafting ones. Basically, I don't want anyone not physically hugging me to smell me. (This is also how I feel about my perfume and is why I am not, to date, a fan of hair glosses.) Do you like small crossbody bags? I am really, really absurdly particular about bags, but yes I do like small cross body ones. They have to be big enough to hold my kindle, keys, wallet and phone, but not much bigger. And if there are separate pockets for each of those things, I am in love. Do you collect anything? Not on purpose. I can't help it that scarves, jewelry, tights, books, and bpal follow me home! What are some of your favorite things about fall/Halloween, or what do you look forward to? I most look forward to cooler weather that allows me to start wearing tights and wool turtleneck sweaters again. Also the changing leaves, more days off with my husband after summer's rush, apples right off the tree, and not needing to run the AC (my bills go down!) But autumn is bittersweet for me. It's my favorite season weather-wise, but I'm all too well aware about what comes next, and winter can be hard for me physically (Raynaud's), financially (ancient house = crazy heating bills), and emotionally (something about the dark, cold nights makes me miss my husband more than usual). do you bake or cook & if so (or even if not!) would you want Halloween-themed kitchen stuff or sprinkles or similar? I love too cook and bake. Any kitchen stuff of any these, is always welcome. Horror themes? I am OK with almost all horror tropes. However, I do not love gratuitous violence. I mean, if it's integral to the plot, sure, but I don't like torture porn or dwelling on those bits and I want stories where good triumphs in the end. For bath and body products: do you have a bathtub or shower? Both! And I do use both. Do you own a wax/oil burner? (If no, would you like one?) I have one, but it is missing. A replacement would be swell. Would you like loose, fancy tea? Yes! Incense, y/n? Yes, but I am picky. I mainly burn Fred Soll natural resin incense. The only ones of his that I do NOT like are Ceremonial Rain, Egyptian Musk, florals, hemp, fruit and the Patchouli blends. Everything else I love (but I am partial to the Pinon, Pine, and the cedar, sage, and sandalwood based blends). What is your favorite fall activity? Being outdoors in gorgeous weather, drinking a beer, and playing with my niece and nephew. I'm in Japan, anything specifically Japanese-y you want? Japanese Kit-Kats are the best. Please briefly describe (color, style, preferred type of beads) or provide a picture of (if it is suitable), the type of necklace (if any) you would be interested in getting. If you do not like necklaces, what kinds of jewelry (if any) would you want to wear? I love necklaces and earrings. For things that are meant to be worn close to the throat (with open necked blouses, etc) I prefer a length of 16 inches. But I do appreciate some longer options (18-20 inches) which I can wear with turtlenecks and sweaters in the winter. My etsy has a wide variety of styles and beads/gems I like and you can get a great idea of my style there. (My etsy wishlist is MASSIVE because I love window shopping.) What about hot chocolate/malt drinks? I like them, but am picky. I'm not a huge fan of powder unless they are really good. I love the kind of drinking chocolate that you melt in the milk. How into the day themeing mentioned in the first post are you? All themed? A few maybe if they are fun? Not at all? I have no preference. Speaking of DVDs - are you interested in receiving movies and if so, what sort? No DVDs unless you think I'd really love it. We're almost an all digital media family now. Back to the books - if you said you would like books, would you prefer I send you, say, my favorite Halloween anthology or something else spooky/scary, or something off your wishlist/want-to-read on goodreads? Anything you love and think I would too (not already on my GoodReads list which means I have read it) is great, as is anything off my wishlist. Please note that "To read" on GoodReads means I already own it and it is in my stack. Amazon is the true wishlist. Process question: Do you want to know who is sending to you right away, or would you prefer to be surprised on the last day, to the extent possible? Likewise, do you have a preference for specifically numbered packages or for reach in and grab according to your fancy? No preference. Would you be interested in solid perfume? What about lip balm? Sure! I'm most interested in tinted balms/lipstick/stains at the moment as I'm trying to learn to wear them. There was a lot of mention of not wearing costumes/not being allowed to at workplaces. Would you be interested in goth style or Halloween-themed(pumpkins, ghosts,etc.) normal clothes to wear instead, and what would be suitable? Jewelry or accessories are best. Day of the dead/ Dia de los Muertos stuff? Sure! Does anything from this shop catch your eye? I put a couple things on the wishlist, but much of it is too sweet/foody for me (or has musk which I tend to not love.) Do you have aversions to any animals or insects? Nope. How do you feel about canned foods like jams and things along those liNES? Love. How do you feel about stickers (and stationery in general)? Ambivalent. How do we feel about fibercrafting (knit, crochet, etc.)? wearables? crafted critters? If you would like a scarf or something similar, would you like it to be themed, like fall colors, or have a skull or other halloweenie motif/border? I love all wearable. Fall colors that emphasize COLOR rather than brow/rust/goldenrod are great. Halloweenie motifs are fine, but so are plain or floral or whatever. I'm just in awe of people who can craft things with their own two hands. What makes you feel pampered? Quiet time with a good book (in my chair with tea or a drink or in the tub), delicious good, a great cup of tea, good beer/wine/scotch, having my hair blown out, dressing up, dabbing perfume on the inside of my elbows, putting on a pair of brand new tights, having someone cook for me, and brushing my hair. We've covered what critters you don't like, but what about the critters that you DO like? What are your favorite animals/creatures, real or imagined? My favorites are ravens/crows, foxes, and serpents. Canadian stuff: Sure. Paintbox Soapworks: I think there is a good bit of it on my etsy wishlist. s there is any TAZO tea you have a hankering for? None in particular. How about any Teavana tea? Any kind you think I would love. How about Starbucks coffee beans? If so, ground (and for what kind of filter) or whole bean? How about Starbucks coffee via (italian, columbia, anniversary, vanilla latte?) or Iced coffee via (caramel or regular?) Fruit flavored via (berry hisbiscus, cool lime, strawberry lemonade?) Pumpkin Spice Latte ? Starbucks K-cups or Verismo pods? No coffee please. I also don't use the syrups, and I think pods are the devil. But any tea or tisane is cool and I DO go to Starbucks for iced tea and scones sometimes while I shop (there is one in my grocery store). Coffee/tea travel mugs or ceramic home mugs? Sure! Coffee maker (french press) or tea steeper? I'm all set thanks, although another tea steeper is always nice to tuck into bags etc. How would you feel about a gently-used card game? For example, something I may have purchased several years ago and maybe played with my daughter *twice* before she became a moody teenager, and too cool for card and/or board games? Sure! Alcoholic beverages in your goodies-- yay or nay-- if yay, what kind? Sure! I'm kind of a beer snob, but I LOVE trying things I can't get here. I love IPAs, Belgian golden and tripel styles (and Belgian IPAs... But not so much dunkels), porters, and stouts. I don't love sweet fruit beers, but like the ones that are more tart. I do like sour beer, including barrel aged varieties. I also like wine -- the dryer the better -- and scotch. My husband is a bourbon drinker, but its too sweet for me. CANDY CORN--- YAY OR NAY? Nope Name at least one thing that you really wouldn't like to receive in your package. I can't think of anything that any of you would realistically send me. Candy corn? Does anyone especially like or want anything from cost plus/world market? I don't know what they have. Surprise me! Does anyone need any small kitchen items or utensils? I always need measuring spoons. They run away like stray socks. Also little mise en place bowls and tupperware are always useful. Dearest Pumpkin- do you have a preference of edible/drinkable vs. non edible items in your package? Would you prefer your package heavier on one side or the other? No preference. And now, a new question: to sort of piggy-back onto the question about small kitchen items, do you like to bake or cook, and if yes, are there any special ingredients, spices, or decorations for baked goods (like sprinkles in seasonal shapes or those decorative picks you put on top of cupcakes, for instance) that you would like? I love to cook and bake. Things like special salt varieties, spices, really nice oils, herbs etc are always useful. Sprinkles would give me an excuse to bake something for my nephew! Hey, Pumpkin! How do you feel about lounge pants/pajama pants? Love. Do you have long, medium, or short hair? What kids of hair accessories do you like to use? Should length. I use those tiny rubber bands for braiding bits back off my face, and I could really use some small clips to section it off for drying in sections with a brush. If I were going to the mountains tomorrow, for the apple harvest, would you wanted some dehydrated apple rings??? Sure. If you have an Etsy favorites list, are all of the things on the list things you'd be happy to get, or are some of them gift ideas for other people, or stuff that you've already bought and loved but don't need more of, or for any reason not something you'd want to get in this swap? It's all things I would be happy to receive. Do you like Hello Kitty? Not really. Would you be interested in gently used BPAL tees going back several years and/or 80s/90s goth-industrial-generally morbid tees all in crew neck/Men's style, size M - L, all black or dark gray? Sure. Although I will say that I don't really wear any of the lab shirts if they have things like the imps in stockings or pinup girls or anything that could be classified as even slightly risqué. Creepy birds, antlers, florals, bees, etc though, I'm all in. I generally prefer women's tees, but I am saving up shirts for a quilt, and am also not above cutting necks and arms to make them more flattering. How do you feel about superheroes? I love them. In fact, my whole family wore Super Hero gear to my brother's wedding. Batman and Wonder Woman are house favorites, but I love many others too. How do you feel about Star Wars, especially extension universe comics? I like Star Wars, have never read the comics, but would like to do so. And my husband would think it was the coolest swap ever. How extensively have you sampled the Lab's Weenie wares? Any past releases you are dying to get your hands on? Years you missed? In years past I have sampled quite a lot. There's nothing I missed and long for (except that one long ago pumpkin with champaca). I tend to like Samhain, and loved Samhnainophobia to the point of hoarding before I went through a weird chemistry change and now amp patchouli in a dirty rather than delicious way. I'm sure I'll update my wishlist when they come out this year, and anything I missed and wanted should be there now.

A decant of this came my way from the fabulous Puddin' with my t-shirt grab bag fulfilling a long-held dream, In the imp: A sharp astringent scent laid over the top of something deeply resinous. I'm also getting a dark musk. Wet on skin (at application): different than in the imp, but by degrees... The astringency is tempered to become herbal and I'm now reading that resinous quality as a woody note with some dry spices on top. I still think there's musk at the base, but it's not dark or swarthy -- maybe a skin musk or a really light version of a red musk? This is very much a melange scent to me -- right now, it smells very like opening my imp box... Dry down: Memory is a tricky thing. As I sit her sniffing myself, I think I smell exactly like my favorite aunt used to back in the late 1970s and early 1980s when she wore a green floral chore called Ma Griffe by Carven. As I huff and try to figure out the notes of this intoxicating smell, it becomes clear that I am NOT smelling Ma Griffe, and yet... It smells like Ann. There is. Dry wood on one wrist, something not unlike a cedar, overlaid with dry herbs and spices. The other wrist is greener, wetter and fresher. On it, there is pine (maybe fresh cedar boughs so as opposed to the aged wood chest of the other wrist?), something sweet and just a bit floral (jasmine? A floral honey?), and in distinct herbs and spices. This is powerful, with lots of throw. It's not really masculine to me -- more powerful than gendered.

I am in love with this, partly because the smell is more faint. My biggest battle with both bpal and bptp scents is that they are often too strong and "wafting" on me. I want to be able to smell me when I sniff my skin, and I want someone hugging me to be able to smell me, but I do NOT want others in my office area to notice my scent. I'm an under-the-radar perfume wearer. This is PERFECT. It's a lovely, rich, resinous vanilla that stays exceptionally close to the skin. It works great for dry elbows and layers beautifully on the occasions when I want a little more scent (i.e. going out, date night, etc). I've paired this with my old SN Madagascar Vanilla Run (SO SEXY) and Arcana Devilish, and it's beautiful with both.

I think I may be the one dissenting voice here: This smells like powder and old lady perfume. My husband's immediate comment was, "Why did you just make our house smell like my mom?" I think it's the vanilla that is not working for us. It's a kind of fake, powdery vanilla we're familiar with from things like Love's Baby Soft. Not a winner at chez kakiphony.

I used this to moisturize my arms (concentrating on my elbows) after my shower. In the bottle it was a deep, herbal honey. On my skin the herbs quickly take over the honey. This fades nicely, and I'm left with moisturized skin that smells great up close, but doesn't have much throw. (I am a huge fan of "not much throw." It makes it possible for me to wear scent at work without overpowering my officemates.) It fades into a dry herbal scent, with a bit of something deep, sweet, warm and maybe just a little woody and a little bit musky at the base. It's quite lovely.

In the bottle: Lots of orange blossom (which I love) with some other florals in the background (probably the tuberose, but I'm having trouble picking out notes). It's very "perfumey" in the bottle and while I love orange blossom, this is complex and might be too much for me... I put it on with trepidation. Wet on skin: Interesting. The orange blossom is gone in a blink and I'm smelling mainly and white florals that I can't quite identify. There's amber under it, lending a slightly powdery throw. I'm hoping the mellows and I get less florals because right now, I smell like the dreaded elevator perfume. Early dry down (10 minutes): This is already settling, thank goodness. I'm still getting more tuberose than orange blossom, but the honey and beeswax are coming through. The beeswax has a slightly burned quality on me, almost more like a candle that has been lit and then blown out than a hunk of plain wax. It's an interesting combination -- sweet, and floral, yet with deep resins at the base. I'm liking it at this stage. Late dry down (about an hour): My body chemistry must be just eating orange/citrus in all forms for some reason lately. (I've noticed this with my beloved Vixen as well.) On my skin, I've gotten almost no orange blossom OR neroli out of this blend. Certainly, none of the "bright citrus" described by other reviewers. This has settled into a mainly amber scent on my skin, with a powdery finish. It's deepened by the resins and maintains a touch of sweet white florals. It's quite elegant, and perfectly pretty, but a little generic to my nose. I smell like I'm wearing "Perfume" with a capital P (like a generic scent that would come in a white bottle with plain black lettering). It's nice, but just not very interesting to my nose. I think I'm coming to a place in my personal chemistry and bpal evolution where I need more interesting and unusual blends. I've found that complex blends with lots of notes, and blends that pair florals with resins seem to all smell the same on me rather quickly. This is almost certainly ME and not the oils. I suspect it has to do with my changing body chemistry as I approach my 40s. It seems like the blends that work best on me now are spicier, or have more leather and smoke. If I have to say goodbye to all my beloved orange blossom, I am going to be very sad.

I'm having a reaction to Lacuna Oblivionis -- but only on my chest and neck. My wrists are fine, but the spots I dabbed on m neck and chest got some nasty, almost zit-like red bumps. Ouch!

This is odd on me compared to the other reviewers. I never got much lavender. In the bottle and wet on my wrists the dominant note is floral, but much more ylang yang than lavender. It dries down very quickly and the floral and any sweetness honey might have provided are completely eaten by the resins. I'm left with a really close to my body, deep, smooth, dry resin consisting mainly of frankincense and benzoin. It's actually one of the few scents I've tried with frankincense in which that component doesn't get eaten alive by other notes. There's maybe a touch of powder from the amber and a little funk from the patchouli, but the star of this is on me definitely the other resins. Edited to add: This is the closest bpal I've tried to how my hair smells several hours after using Nature's Gate Herbal Conditioner (the brown one) which I happen to love. The bottles now just say "fragrance" but I think, years ago, they used say it was made with extracts of lavender and myrrh. I've always thought it also smelled similar to the Zum Frankincense and Myrrh scent line, so I've long suspected frankincense was also part of their fragrance blend.

Finally decanted mine out for a PIF today, so finally tried it... Wet on skin: Mostly patchouli, but a sleek, slightly oily, very dark version with a bit of sandalwood at the back of the sniff. I don't get any sweet/vanilla at this stage. Early dry down: Still mostly woody, dark patchouli on me. I don't get any of the sweet/foodie vibe others have mentioned and I wonder if it's because it's so darn COLD here. After an hour: Still all woody patchouli. I strongly suspect it's because my house is cold and I am wearing 2 sweaters and not morphing at all from body heat. Will revisit after the thaw.

In the imp: Very sharp and slightly floral. The tobacco flower is dominant, and it scares me just a bit. This smells like sharp words and sharper blades. Wet on skin: Something about the combination of pepper and amber is reading as cinnamon/cassia to me, and I smell spicy and, again, sharp. It's the sort of scent that pierces your senses up high at the very back of your palate. If it were a taste, it would be medicinal and a little bitter. Early dry down (10 minutes): This is really lovely. It continues to be super spicy as it reacts with my skin, and as it dries the smoke starts to come out and play. It's dry, sweet smoke -- more like burning sweetgrass or sage than incense or tobacco. Late dry down (30 minutes +): This sits close to my skin and continues to be spicy and smoky, but somehow also light. Many times, the spicy/smoky scents are deep, dark and resinous. This is not that type of scent. Rather, it's dry wind in the desert smoke and spice. Often amber goes powdery, and there's a bit of that here, but it's not baby powder -- more like herbs/spices that have gotten so dried out that they crumble in your hands. Final Verdict: LOVE. I seriously need a bottle of this. THIS is why I love bpal. It's completely different from most commercial perfume -- subtle, elegant, and evocative. This is bottle worthy. One thing that occurs to me is that this is really a very accurate scent representing vengeance. It definitely has the sharp, scorching power of anger, but it understands that the need for vengeance comes from a place of deep love. In order to feel the need to avenge something, one has to have cared enough to have been hurt. This scent acknowledges that core, and it's where the dry down comes from. Reminds me of: The Ifrit, Mr. Jacquel, Al-Shairan

In the imp: Hmm. This has a sweet almost fake lime scent to it as the dominant note. I smell Green River, mixed with lily of the valley. I'm getting none of the deeper woods/base notes. This is ALL top notes in the vial. Wet on skin: Soap and bug spray. Early dry down (10 minutes): It stays quite soapy/floral in the crooks of my arms, but my wrists get a pleasant melange of cedar, tobacco and honey -- dry and very "western" but with the barest hint of sweet powder. Late dry down (30 minutes +): Baby powder and lily of the valley. The powder surprises me because while I do tend to get that note from amber, I did not get much of it from Ginny. I also keep getting whiffs of bug spray (which must be the lily of valley -- which I seem to amp). It's interesting to note that lily of the valley is poisonous -- something about this smells like it could kill a cat or a small child! It's a very subtly evil floral on me. Final Verdict: I do not love this. I do not hate this. I think this might be too complicated for me. (And the bit that got on my shirt from the elbows REEKS of lily of the valley. It is seriously old lady. Ugh. Definitely need to let this dry down completely before getting dressed!) Reminds me of: Dragon's Eye, Grief, Queen of Hearts

In the imp: This is all sassafras in the imp to me -- which reads to my nose as a sweet herbal smell which reminds me of a cross between root beer and wintergreen. There might be a little vetiver peeking through there as well. Wet on skin: This stays very like it smelled in the imp to me: An herbal sweetness rather like wintergreen (or birch beer! it smells like birch beer!) I'm not getting any of the florals, which is actually kind of odd for a wet stage on me. Early dry down (10 minutes): As this dries, the lilac comes out to play just very lightly. It's still dominated by the sassafras, but I get a little bit of the florals at the very front of the sniff. At the back, I'm getting a hint of dark vetiver and a little spice from the red musk. Late dry down (30 minutes +): This is one of those scents that really changes on me over time. While in the beginning it is all herbal sweetness, after a couple of hours what I am left with is darker, muskier, and more resinous. Luckily, I like all those things! I never got the vanilla bean or fig out of this. The sassafras and florals ate it during the wet phase, and the vetiver and red musk subsume it during the dry. This has moderate throw in the beginning, but upon drying becomes a much closer to the skin scent. I do still smell sassafras on my sweater (from the crooks of my elbows), but everywhere else has become spicy red musk with a deep vetiver note. There is a hint of sweet about this, but mostly it is just dark. Final Verdict: I like this -- not quite as much as I loved Ginny, but a very close second. It's more interesting than Ginny in the wet -- sweeter and more complex -- but the dry down on Ginny was more complex on me. I expected this to remind me of organ grinder from the sassafras and the deep resins, but instead I was reminded of Stimulating Sassafras Strengthener. I can live with just an imp, but if I ever see a partial bottle for cheap, I'd nab it. Reminds me of: Stimulating Sassafras Strengthener

In the imp: High, sweet and light. I don't get individual notes, but this seems very traditional perfume to me -- and a lighter, sweeter one for younger girls at that. These are not usually my things, but since this has a heart of patchouli, it may surprise me. Wet on skin: Very sweet and very light. I'm getting something I suspect is mainly peach and raspberry leaf -- it's a sort of indistinct sweet fruit with a bit of herbal bite behind it. The vanilla is adding to the sweet characteristic just a bit. Early dry down (10 minutes): My first impression is that this is a very nice choice for a summer night. It's very light and pleasant, not at all cloying or overwhelming. The carnation has come out a bit more, giving this a slightly green and peppery note in addition to the sweet fruit. It's nice, but very not me -- too high floral/sharp fruit without enough base. It strikes me as young, juicy, overtly feminine and very pastel. Late dry down (30 minutes +): This stays very true to the early dry down. The patchouli never really announces itself, but it allows this to develop into a close to the skin, slightly warm scent as it fades. It stays sweet, with some subtle fruit, but the carnation and bergamot help balance it so that it turns out not quite so sweet. Final Verdict: This very, very well balanced. I'm not a huge fruit/floral person, but this I can wear. It's the best kind of traditional scent -- it makes you smell good without smelling particularly like anything. By that I mean, it's unobtrusive and elegant. I'll use the imp, but have no need for a bottle. Reminds me of: Fae, Imp, Tamora

In the decanted imp: Oddly, this does not smell particularly dry to me. I get sandalwood, but something that at first strikes me as fruity, and then as a syrupy floral (like gardenia or honeysuckle). Not what I was expecting. Maybe it's the marjoram? Wet on skin: Much sweeter than I expected. It's almost immediately quite traditionally "perfumey" and the immediate throw is pretty intense. The sandalwood is very strong and incense-like. Early dry down (15-30 minutes): The throw on this actually gathers steam as it starts to dry down on me. The "dry" begins to come out as the sandalwood develops a powdery quality, and the scent that originally struck me as fruity/floral amps an almost crazy amount on me and is now quite floral. It's not a floral I recognize, however, it's sweet, high, a little syrupy and in the sneeze-inducing family for me. My overall impression is that either I have a mislabeled imp, or marjoram does very odd things on my skin! Late dry down (1 hour+): This finally starts to mellow after about an hour and becomes a more traditional sandalwood based scent. It's powdery, and a little dry, with a touch of sweet resin base from the benzoin. It maintains a faint floral quality on me. Final verdict: I think this is probably a beautiful blend, but it's just very much not me. It's too traditional, and smells to much like "perfume". It actually reminds me of traditional, alcohol based perfumes with sandalwood bases than it does most bpal. It sort of smells like the perfume you smell on someone in an elevator. Reminds me of: Gaueko, Kathmandu (but these are a stretch -- really it smells like fully dried down Opium or Samsara or something to me)

First, a general observation: Pine can be a really tricky scent. Because it's such a strong (and beautiful!) natural scent, it is often used in commercial fragrances meant to mask really bad odors. Sadly, many people have come to associate pine, especially strong or slightly artificial pine, with things like urinal cakes, car deodorizers, and Pine-Sol. I'm a huge fan of real pine -- and love having pine boughs in my house and using good (i.e. not fake smelling) pine candles. But all pine products run the risk of turning from lovely natural scents into horrible, men's bathroom smelling scents. In the bottle: Pine, pine, pine. But a natural, deep, resinous pine. More like fresh sap than fresh pine needles. Wet on skin: Straight-up pine sap. This is like taking a blob of sap off a pine tree and smearing it on my skin, only less sticky. Early dry down (less than an hour): This is still very pine dominant. So far, it's mostly a very natural, sappy and resinous pine. Occasional whiffs are sharp and spiky like crushed green needles (which may actually be the cypress rather than the pine), but overall it is a rounded, sticky scent. I get a little bit of tobacco, which serves to dry the blend out. When I catch that note, it's like a big dried out tub of Drum, mixed with the resinous pine. I'm not getting much sweet from honey, and not much patchouli either as funk or as a spicy grounding note. This is taking a long time to mellow and blend on me. Late dry down (hour +): This blend had an unusually long dry-down time period on me, and has quite a lot of staying power, although the throw is not huge and stays fairly close to the body. After a couple of hours it has finally really blended itself out on my skin, and most of the spikes of jagged pine/cypress I got wet and early in the application have evened out. The patchouli finally came out to play, and it has combined with the pine to form a deep, resinous, slightly spicy, slightly herbal, and very woody heart. It's more a funky, head-shop style patchouli than a soft or spicy version -- and I get some hippie/incense notes from it. Paired with the pine and tobacco, I'm left with something the reminds me of Fred Soll or piñon pine incense. The pine is interesting because it serves as both a base and a top note here. The base is the all sap and wood -- like standing in the cave formed by low hanging branches of a pine. Meanwhile, the top still gives a few bursts of fresh, green pine needles. (Again, this top might be the cypress. I don't know that my sniffer is talented enough to distinguish between the two.) I'm not sure I'm getting any honey from the blend. I'm sure it's there, I just can't pick it out. Instead, it helps bind and blend the other components. I suspect that, as this ages, the honey will combine with the deep resins to round and slightly sweeten things. Final verdict: This is gorgeous and, I suspect, will just get more gorgeous with age. It's a very masculine, woodsy and outdoorsy scent and would smell divine on male hiker types. On me (a 5'2" fairly feminine woman) this is clean, outdoorsy, strong, and sensuous. It's a little bit hippie, but with some elegance. It's like the aging hippie woman who styles her snow white hair in a bun and looks like a former ballerina, wears all black Eileen Fisher, keeps bees, and sanded and refinished the hard wood floors in her house by hand. Or the older hippie man who has traded in his dreads/pony for a buzz cut that flatters his bald spot, and now dresses almost entirely in expensive denim and flannel, bakes bread for his grandkids, raises prize winning lily hybrids, and chops the wood for his wood burner himself. Both of them still have a daily yoga practice and like to camp, but also have memberships to local art museums and attend the symphony. Reminds me of: Illustrated Women (but no old-man turning musk!!!!)

I find Hetairae (billed as honey, patchouli, fig, clove and ylang ylang) to be mostly ylang ylang and honey on me and quite light. I tend to reach for it at this time of year when I want something light, golden, and floral (but that does't make me sneeze -- which is a tall order!) It easily lasts an 8 hour day on me, although it does end up lighter and sweeter than it started with just a hint of powder after about 10 hours. (My husband always says, "mmmmm, you smell like flowers and sugar") I'm thinking I'm going to have to start extolling this one's virtues and/or stock up heavily as I see it hasn't been reviewed in a long time and the honey blends seem to on the chopping block pretty regularly... It will gut me if Hetairae goes away. PS I should also add that this one ages well, although unusually. Rather than getting really patchouli heavy as it ages, this one actually mellows and gets more floral/honey with time. The fig and patchouli eventually tame down REALLY far and it ends up being more golden and summery than the way it started (which is a bit spicier and earthier in undertones).

kakiphony's J was born November 15, 1972 at 8:59 in the morn in Sturgis MI (and we all deserve treats!) J is a Scorpio with Sagittarius rising and Moon in Pisces. His chart is strongly left sided, with a singleton Saturn in Gemini in the 7th house (singleton by virtue of being the only righthand planet in the chart). The Sun is in the 12th house, the moon in the 3rd house. The Pisces Moon is at a vital point in the chart, focus of a t square; squaring Saturn and Mercury (and we'll babble more about that eventually). Okay, this is so wrong, I think, but I look at this chart and the feeling I have is "oooh! This is fun!! yay!!!" Not, mind you, that the reading is fun--though these are for me--but I get this feeling of pure and kind of childish glee, and I can't really explain that. It's like "oh, goodie! this is fun, and I'm going to run away to the circus and feed circus ponies and eat candy cotton all day" That is, I must say, a very odd feeling to have about the chart of a guy I don't know. It would be odd about a guy I do know, for that matter. And it puzzles me (being egocentric I'm figuring--must be something in my chart being jogged by this chart? I mean--okay, I have a thing for Pisces, and there's a Pisces moon, but I tell you, the normal reaction of my soul to Pisces is not "yay, circus!! fun!!" Really strange. Well, there it is, I will try to read like a real grown up here.) Sagittarius rising does give a very nice initial impression: something of a daredevil, yet intellectual, very fun, very much interested and interesting. J has his Mercury in Sagittarius right at the ascendant, so there is a feeling of "oh, wonderful, he is a story teller and a communicator, I could stay up all night chatting with this person"; there is a feeling of adventure (maybe that's part of what I'm picking up? but odd, I see lots of Sagittarius rising charts and I've never felt this). (oh, okay--maybe it is that his Sun is at my Jupiter, or very close to that. But still not enough) Mercury in Sagittarius is the seeker and questioner and communicator. Can be very blunt, asking the questions everyone else shuts up about, not satisfied with the easy answer, wants to know the truth and wants also the good story. Can like travel; doesn't want to be pinned down. Someone with Mercury at the rising degree may come across as a wit, a very intelligent and fun person (given Sagittarius). Sag rising takes risks, sometimes takes risks no one else will (moms of Sagittarian rising children, like moms of Sunsign or moon sign Sagittarians, usually spend a lot of their time running, catching, and at the ER--the kid doesn't know much about "oh, that would be dangerous"; it is all about "yay, let me try this, and that, and this ..."). Wants to exceed the limits. Indeed, often Sagittarius doesn't know there are limits until someone clues him in "wait, I wasn't supposed to ask? I wasn't supposed to go there? Why not?" Why not is a big thing for the Sagittarian Mercury; these people keep pressing, intellectually for sure, and often physically. So he comes across as fun, and bright, and maybe not terribly tactful. (Mercury in Sagittarius tends to blurt things). However the square from that very sensitive Pisces moon may mitigate a bit of the bluntness; so will the opposition from Saturn, which can trip one up. Usually half sentence, halfway through the bright question--realizes "wait, I...maybe I shouldn't ask this in public?" There is the ability to structure thoughts and communication, the ability to take words fairly seriously. He has Jupiter (the ruler of Sagittarius) in the first house, but towards the end and in the sign of Capricorn. Jupiter in the first is supposed to make for a "big" person, but I believe it gives presence, whether of physique or of spirit. Jupiter in Capricorn excels at making something of the enthusiastic dreams and visions of the heart, of taking hopeful fancies and turning them into...something very real. This is the spins gold from straw position: can take very little and make it something amazing. Capricorn is the sign on the house of what he most treasures, what is worthwhile for him, what matters, where he gains his self worth (and also the old time "house of money", 2nd house). His north node of the moon is here, which places the south in Cancer in the 8th house. Someone with a Capricorn/Cancer node structure is dealing with questions of compassion and structure, of tenderness and discipline; someone with a 2/8 node structure is dealing with the questions of values that are received, teachings that have been handed on to him, possibly material wealth that has been granted through others--and his need to claim his own values, to make his own way in the world based on his experiences, while understanding where he came from, what he draws from. The emotion and compassion of Cancer is very easy to him, he is a caring soul. He is reaching for the ability to gain distance (or discernment) and to stand on his own without surrendering the poetry of his heart. So, the house of siblings, communication (very key to someone with Mercury at his ascendant) and those who feel as if they should be our kin somehow; our people--the 3rd house in J's chart has Aquarius as the cusp sign. And contains the beautiful Pisces moon. An Aquarian 3rd house is not going to communicate in...expected ways, and not going to have boring siblings (of blood or of choice). Big interest in big ideas, in new ways, in the odd, the eccentric, and the shocking. Very open minded. When one's moon is in the 3rd house one feels kind of emotionally compelled to communicate. To tell the story, to tell one's story, to make contact with the world as if the world were indeed just full of your brothers and sisters. The Pisces moon is one of the more romantic, poetic, sensitive, tender moonsigns one could have. These are souls washed with rainbows and moonlight. These are people who walk into a room and feel the vibes; who can pick up emotions from those around them, who do not like to be responsible for harm to others--even hurt feelings. They can be incredibly kind souls, beyond what other people think at all reasonable (one of my Libra friends just walked by--Libra sun, Gemini rising, Pisces moon. He recently adopted a stray dog I had on my hands because the friend who was taking the dog home temporarily "looked as if she were going to cry, and I couldn't bear that". Young Floristan (friend loves opera) is happily settled with Solita (a pup from a rescue litter of mine) and Hudson (a huge bear of a dog his rich brother's wife thought too unfashionable). That response of the heart--and instant action on it--is quite Pisces moon.) People with the moon in Pisces may be deeply drawn to fairy-tale beauty, to idealistic visions that other people say are impossible or improbable--and yet the Pisces moon person will somehow make that impossiblilty quite possible. These can be the enchanters of the world, and when the Pisces moon is in the 3rd house there is a good chance the person is involved in writing, literature, maybe dance (since Pisces rules the feet). Imagination is greatly increased when you have a 3rd house moon (whatever the sign). Moon in Pisces people may feel emotionally better when they can be near the ocean, or at least near water of some sort; when they are feeling under seige and in trouble, just getting into a shower or going for a swim might momentarily gain them a little strength to get through things. The t square here completes in the 9th house, in Virgo. So part of the way the challenge of the squares from Mercury and Saturn to the moon may resolve for J is if he takes his imagination out, to the public, to higher learning, to spiritual search, to publication---or to travel (all those being 9th house things) and if he does so in a way that structures and grounds the flights of fancy into something actual, "objective" and tangible. Or something with the Virgo feel for authenticity: Here's the holy grail of goodness, let me show you it! (okay, I've obviously been possessed for this reading by someone about 14 years old, sorry gang.) The 4th house has Pisces as the cusp edge sign and then a bunch of Aries (which will then edge the 5th house). So the imaginative qualities of the moon, the emotional sensitivity and sentimentality and romanticism of heart that we find in Pisces are strongly manifest and nurtured "at home", wherever that may be. And this is a guy who stands on rainbows (or walks on water? nah, probably not)--that is, the imagination, compassion, and intuition are where he is grounded. And again, he will feel best near the water. It is, however, a mere shadow or sliver of Pisces that cusps the 4th house, and there is a hell of a lot of Aries here, including Chiron in Aries. So--when Chiron falls in the 4th house (oho, spotted a Mystic Rectangle!) (just wait)--there may be issues around the home, in the early life, particularly with --usually--the father. And there can be this sense of being a wanderer, being an exile in this life. "where is my true home?" no matter where or how one has found living space. The issues around the father (rarely the mother, sometimes another key nurturing person) are generally like those of a 4th house Saturn placement: the father was absent, was ill, was too busy to interact with the child, was too harsh...things like that. But the exile feeling--that sense of nostalgia for a home that one can just barely touch in one's dreams--this tends to be pretty life long for the 4th house Chiron. As they work through their sense of instability and whatever else drives that poignancy they may work to see that others have home, that no one is uncared for, that no one is lost. This will be particularly strong for J, who has Chiron trine his Mercury. People who have this speak for those who have no ability to speak for themselves; can be humans, can be critters, can be causes--but these people are crusaders with strong hearts. Chiron in Aries is a fascinating Chiron, because the issues, the sense of loss or bewilderment, focus on the very identity of the person who has this. Who am I? How do I know I really exist as an independent entity? And yet these are the people who most encourage others; who lend to them a strong sense of "of course you can do anything you want; you are great". Chiron is opposite Pallas. Again, I think this is about making clear the story; understanding and helping others understand: what's life about? What makes sense? What is the story here? Pallas is in Libra, so there is an artistic understanding, and also a sense of mutuality--but we'll get to all that when we reach the extremely crowded 10th house. The Mystic Rectangle here is the two oppositions: Chiron/Pallas and Mercury/Saturn. (if you looked at the chart and drew lines between these points you would find...yippee, a rectangle). The thing about this pattern (it sounds really nice, doesn't it?) is that people who have it have an innate gift in reconciling and understanding opposites; in taking understanding to a higher level, a kind of unexpected place. The elements that J works with here are Air and Fire, despite his double water Sun and Moon (Scorpio and Pisces). So with lightness of thought and action. With sparkle. The 5th house has an edge of Aries, no planets. (a lot of Taurus here too). This is the house of children, romance, fun and games, what brings delight, creative self expression. Aries would give the ability and tendency to just rush right in "hi, you're cute, let's go..." or "hey, I think I want to paint now *grabs brush and starts*" Very independent, very much Do It!! But with all this Taurus here as well, he is likely really wanting also some security and endurance; not a bunch of one night stands or fun that just--vanishes. The 6th house, Taurus cusped, tells us that when need be he will work hard and he will work long, and that his health is basically very good, sturdy. No planets here (all the planets are hiding in the 10th 11th and 12th houses, mostly). Gives maybe skills with his hands in the work place, artistic ability, sensory sensitivity (like has a good color sense, etc). The 7th house, house of marriage and partnership, has Gemini as its sign. Vesta is here, and Saturn. Gemini as a 7th house sign...well, these people need to have a lot of variety and a lot going on with their partnerships, of whatever sort. Intellectual connection is key. Communication is vital. And being...free to move about, to not feel constraint or chains--this is crucial. And maybe even more vital to someone with Vesta in the 7th house, because these people just need to get the hell out of partnerships from time to time. No, that doesn't mean that they will not come back and be happy, but they need breaks from all the togetherness, they need the opportunity to act, live, and breathe on their own (and this for an Aries Chiron might be particularly important, because of the fears around being able to be whole and independent). Saturn in Gemini does not want to have many demands placed on him, needs to always feel the door is open, that he can leave at any time, that his schedule is on his terms, that he is not obligated. This doesn't mean that a Saturn in Gemini person won't be responsible or follow through on promises or stay in long term partnerships--but that he must do it of his own free will, that he must do it because it means something to him. He cannot be compelled. Communication is big for a Saturn in Gemini person, must feel free to move, free to say what he likes, free to be heard, free to experience all he desires. The old truism for a 7th house Saturn is that these folks shouldn't marry before they go through their Saturn return. (a variant of that, which is kind of "fate dictates that..." is that 7th house Saturn people find barriers in the way of early marriage). (I'm still waiting to hear from a 7th house Saturn person who listened to early warnings).] The concept is that since we undergo testing and change in our Saturn return period, and that testing and challenge and change hits in the subjects or concerns of our Saturn's house, since the 7th house is about marriage and partnerships--well, marriage and partnerships are in for rocky times come the return. It is true--no matter where Saturn is--that some long term partnerships end during the Saturn return. And some start; it is not unusual to feel "must get married" or "must get serious about all this" during that time. (and it is also not unusual to have a child during or immediately after the Saturn return; happened to me, with my first house Saturn. Nothing like motherhood to change one's persona, eh?). Saturn in the 7th house often brings older mentors, sometimes older partners, including but not limited to marriage partners. So, the 8th house here has Cancer as the sign. And the south node, in Cancer, is here. This is the realm of mystery, of sexuality, of death, of rebirth and regeneration and remaking, of inheritance and connection to traditions, of what we gain through others. With Cancer as the sign, it may be that particularly through women's influence or through maternal gifts, J has benefited. And he is keyed it well to nurturing and tenderness, to compassion, to personalized affection. It is as if he is in some way one of the blessed ones of the mother, if that makes any sense whatsoever, and under stress he can rest in that feeling, in that knowledge. But he does have kind of a--quest laid on his soul--to discover his own truth, and to make that manifest. Materially as well as in the mind or in pretty words or whatever. The 9th house is Leo cusped. (and holds a bunch of Virgo too). Affinity with drama, with learning that has a dramatic edge, with being admired for his mad skills as a student/teacher/storyteller. The Virgo here will give some attention to details and to putting things in order, but the heart is where there is a lot of flash, a lot of nobility; education, spiritual search, travel of any sort--needs to be done on a wide screen, or with big brush strokes; doesn't take to being all confined or restricted to the bare facts and numbers. Yet, with a certain paradoxic quality, Virgo is his Midheaven sign and the cusp of the house of career, calling, public image. So he's seen as a devoted, careful, meticulous person who knows what's good and wants to do what's good. Sometimes a Virgo midheaven can give a public image that is kind of untouchable--sexy, but untouchable. The knight in shining armor, the dedicated but ever so attractive young monk (not that Virgo is not sexualized; it is simply that there is this quality of "I hold myself apart a bit" or "I am whole within myself"). But his 10th house is packed with Libra energy and with some pretty heavy planets at that: Pluto, Pallas, Venus, and Uranus in Libra. Venus and Uranus are conjunct, one degree separating them. Pallas is part of the Mystic Rectangle. Pluto makes a sextile to Neptune and a square to Jupiter. whew. So, to tease this out: Pluto near the midheaven is often associated with healers (not necessarily doctors of medicine; healers of the spirit) and with a lot of transformative energy in the public realm. Pluto in Libra has a new vision of beauty, partnership, harmony, justice--all the Libra obsessions. Pluto sextile Neptune brings in imagination and intuition in a big way to the public life, and it may be a question of "I heal through showing you a new vision". Pluto square Jupiter...well, this one is full of transformative energies, but the challenge is...how do I control this? And there is a sense in which the ideas in the life are real and vital and important. Other people can be all "oh, maybe I believe this, or that, hey, what's the difference?" Someone with Pluto and Jupiter working together (even if they are struggling in a square aspect) is very--well, ideas and beliefs are key. They take them very seriously. And often there is a tendency to change from whatever belief structure the person was brought up with. These people tend to be catalysts for change in other people as well, and should be aware of that. Pallas in the 10th house--these people are thought by those they meet in public to have the answers. To everything. "where's the best place to get bread?" "what is the meaning of the universe?" "should I marry her?" Strangers will come to them for guidance, and in their career they are the problem solvers (again, at all levels). Pallas in Libra is very artistic, or at least has a sense of good aesthetics, appreciates and understands line and structure and harmony and color and such. For J this skill/perception is increased, because Pallas is so close to Venus (4 degrees) in Libra, and then again it is kind of tweaked, because Uranus with all that originality, eccentricity, verve and delight and change--comes into the picture as well. (I have to tell you I am still wondering about the circus ponies and jugglers; still not sure what is going on with this chart in that way) (and I should know by now; true, I have a lot of Libra energy and all this Libra energy is kind of dancing with mine, but that isn't enough to explain the sense of glee). Venus in Libra is elegant. So charming, so adept at the right gesture, the perfect gift. So appreciative when someone else is as perceptive and charming. Everyone thinks Libra is sooo romantic, and--well, Libra doesn't mind the pretty things, but Venus in Libra actually has a kind of intellectual appreciation. Good taste (maybe not so good as a Virgo Venus, but still good--the thing with Libra Venus is that sometimes she gets swayed but surface prettiness and elegance and charm; can be dazzled by the pretty surfaces). A guy with a Libra Venus is going to be a sucker for beauty and charm (sorry, of course J will also have great discernment, and so on--and I'm pretty sure kaki is pretty, so no harm). Venus in the 10th house grants the gift of looking great in public. The public just falls in love with a Venus in the 10th house person; they can't help it. Art or something "artistic" is often the career of choice for a 10th house Venus (but this 10th house is so crowded J has a bunch of choices going on). Uranus in Libra sees beauty in the oddest places and strangest things. Takes a very open and unusual approach to partnerships, to marriage, to harmony, to justice. Quite eccentric.Can be artistic and at a kind of genius level. When Uranus is in the 10th house the career has big changes in it (and this is reinforced by Pluto here--we are talking changes maybe outside the personal will and effort--like the place one works suddenly gets swallowed by an earthquake. Sounds odd, but...yeah, like that.) (doesn't have to be all loss and destruction though--could also be "and I was walking and I bumped into this person and he owned this place and he said 'hey, you are wonderful, I'll give you a million to come do interesting things in the park with the circus ponies' watching" (I want circus ponies, sorry). Uranus in the 10th house looks unusual in public. "You are so strange" "You are a genius" Sometimes a career that involves electronics, new tech, etc can be indicated. Also sudden fame. Venus and Uranus are only a degree apart. (Liz Taylor has this conjunction in her 7th house I think, in Aries. ahem.) So, when Venus/Uranus are living together there can be a tendency to love the strange and the unusual and the eccentric, both as an intellectual matter ("the court poetry of the 14th century is so fascinating") and as a preference in lovers. Relationships and people who are too...ordinary, calm, secure, unchanging --are paradoxically unlikely to endure, and when they end they end suddenly. What endures is sort of a dance. A partner who can keep up with the dance--well, that will endure. But it is likely going to take a very unusual person (and I'm waiting to check out kaki and see--I remember she had an unusual chart herself, which bodes quite well). Now, since this is the 10th house, this could all be more about the public image and the career than about tender intimacies, but wherever Venus is, intimacies are kind of implied or promised. The pair is trine the 7th house Saturn, so--if the communication Gemini Saturn needs is there, then there are likely strong partnerships, and they help the career tremendously. Saturn will tend to stabilize the scattered energy that we'd otherwise expect from this pair. Libra is the sign, barely, on the 11th house--house of wishes, house of groups and friendships and those barely whispered life goals we hope don't haunt us at the end (deathbed scene: "I always really meant to be an artist". So much better to do it now.) So--omigod. How did I not see that? *gathers self together*. What a chart. Okay, the Scorpio Sun, which we are going to be meeting soon, in the 12th house, is unaspected. Well, la la la, I don't see that right now, we'll deal with it tomorrow. Or, um, later. Back to the 11th house. Libra as a cusp sign is going to give, you betcha, charming friends. Mars in Libra leads off the 11th house, quickly followed by Ceres in Scorpio and much later by Juno in Scorpio (lots of Scorpio in the 11th house, Libra is only the sugar coating and the engine of power here.) Mars in Libra is a strategic thinker, a debater. Sees all the possiblities. Actually, Mars/Uranus/Venus (working backwards there) are kind of a triad of energy. Let me see..yeah, maybe. We might be dealing with some of that interesting charms birdies out of trees and makes people just fall at his feet energy of Venus/Mars. It is complicated by the wildness of Uranus in the middle; this is--I don't know, I keep getting this odd flashes of something--the magician, the enchanter. Energy with an air sign Mars tends to be used mostly in intellectual ways (though also in moving about a bunch; there can be restlessness, physical restlessness while the mind is working). Mars in Libra is generally pretty sweet; people think "oh, not a confrontational person"; if there is even a hint of injustice happening those same people will be amazed, because Mars in Libra is a warrior when injustice is happening. Especially, here, to his friends, to those under his protection (very protective energy here). The conjunct to Uranus might give a temper that, although usually held well in control, can snap instantly (again, in the face of injustice, unfairness). He is well nurtured in groups, when he is in touch with those goals of his, when he is with friends. (Ceres in the 11th house). Ceres in Scorpio is well nurtured by mysteries and sexuality and power, and he is likely to encounter all those nice things in the context of groups, friends. He draws natural allies from within his groups of friends, or in the context of his goals, and they are likely either actual Scorpios or people who have a very strong Pluto (and/or Mars) in their charts; people who aren't afraid of the depths, of passion, of authentic connection, of power. (Juno in Scorpio, 11th house). Okay, 12th house. Scorpio cusp. Scorpio is a pretty comfortable sign on the 12th house, given the fact that this is the house of secrets, the hidden, the denied, the repressed--and Scorpio would love to uncover all those things. When the sun falls in the 12th house we usually discover that the person has a need to find out--needs to understand more than the surface, really feels uncomfortable if his intuition says "something is hidden from me". And that will be true no matter what the sign, but will be kind of increased by a Scorpio Sun. However, this is an unaspected Sun. People with the Sun unaspected (and the other Scorpio who immediately comes to mind with an unaspected Sun is Hillary Clinton--in her case I think the sun is in the 4th house, but I seem to recall there being controversies about her actual time of birth)--unaspected Sun people sometimes have this...need to really prove themselves. In conjunction with an Aries in Chiron this would come out in terms of who am I? And perhaps, being a 12th house sun, in terms of "aha, I will fool everyone and not be fooled; I am the one behind the mask" (very--Scarlet Pimpernel or something like that, if you know the old story). Sometimes the energy of an unaspected planet just floods the rest of the chart; with the Sun there could be an abundance of energy and "hey, I'm here!!" and yet perhaps a lack of focus. The Scorpio (or Pluto colored) allies would help with this, quite a lot. J's inner "female" energy is quite Scorpio as well, with the Black Moon Lilith here--so there is an abundance of sexual energy, passionate commitment, emotional authenticity--and possibly a slowness to trust--that he can tap into within his inner soul as well as in that elusive "self" that he keeps thinking he...maybe gets, and then changes. Neptune is here as well, though in Sagittarius and quite close to the ascendant. In fact, Neptune is conjunct Mercury, those the rising degree comes between them; the mind is quite fanciful and mobile, very intuitive. Yet the imagination and intuition is...focused quite deeply, into dreams, into other realms (sometimes 12th house Neptune people are actually psychic). The Lilith in Scorpio placement gives an ease with--well, an ease with death and life; this is a very courageous sort of Kali energy. Guys who have it can cope well with extremely strong women who scare a lot of people; they enjoy that strength and honesty and passion. Neptune in Sagittarius is of course the draw to animals, lost souls, kittens, wild critters from the woods, lost children, anyone. (I just had another Neptune in Sagittarius customer today; yep--all the kitties appeared as if summoned and my rescued pitbull fell on her feet (across the customer's feet--a method of claiming and controling. Some find it charming. I try to discourage it, but laughing and asking someone's birthdate isn't the best dog training). (maybe I should post a sign: If you were born between this date and this date, please note: animals within will love you a lot; proceed with caution. Dog cookies optional.) Because Neptune aspects the rising degree, J may have some of that mobility, that chameonlike quality and glamour that Neptune gives. Probably not the "oh, you will do everything I want you to" that a first house Neptune gets--but an ability to shapeshift in someway. (this reading is downright odd, I must say.). (and I'll be back in a bit, if not tonight, then hopefully tomorrow. transits, comparisions, more bits and pieces.) ***** (heh, terrible of me--here I am with an impatient Aries moon requesting patience from others. But I appreciate kaki not bursting into the middle of the reading going "no way!" or "how did you know?") So--I have kakiphony's chart (I looked at it 2 years ago, how time flies) and her J's chart together all cozily for the purpose of seeing where the two energies intersect; what is driving the relationship. Remember, he's a Scorpio Sun, Sagittarius Rising, Pisces Moon person She is a Leo Sun, Aquarian Moon, Gemini Rising person She's--in those three areas--Fire and Air; he's Water and Fire. (but of course both charts are more complicated than that). Now, remember that J. has that strong t square to his Pisces moon, probably the major aspect pattern in his chart (well, the Mystic Rectangle is pretty major too). When we put the two charts on top of each other, we find another major t square happening. And this one is made of his Pisces Moon opposite her Virgo Mercury (and remember I said that the completion point for his natal t square is there in Virgo? Her mind, her discernment, in essence shows the way for that completion) and both of those points squaring his Mercury at the ascendant--which is conjunct her Neptune. In Sagittarius Where would this t square find a completion point to work out all that energy--which is energy of mystery, intuition, imagination, fantasy? Within Gemini. The sign that is his 7th house sign of partnership, and her own sign of persona. This bodes well for a relationship that is based somehow in intuitive sympathy and communication, both between the two of them, and in the outer world. When we throw Chiron into the mix I can see a Grand Trine between the charts, which is very flowing energy, and it is a Grand Fire Trine: J's Chiron in Aries, kaki's Leo Sun, and the Neptune/Mercury Sagittarian aspect (plus his ascendant). The relationship is likely to be based in action (and fun action at that) and in healing; her Leo nature is embraced by his innate healing and nurturing instincts, and her presence in his life helps him work through any of those Chiron insecurities; it is as if they are both saying to each other "sure, I see you, and what I see is pretty great". They have a Uranus/Mars conjunction (her Uranus, his Mars). This is very much a "omigod, I just fell in love" sort of energy between two people; it feels extremely hot, extremely compelling; it is the stuff the great romances are made of. Whether the great romance endures beyond the "let's leave everything and everyone and run away together" impulse depends on other things in the chart; you need stabilizing influences to have a Uranus relationship keep going. But kaki has an Aquarian moon (Uranus being the Aquarian ruler) so understands the Uranus energy in her heart. And this conjunction falls very close to her north node of the moon; it is as if it is fated; "something to help me understand my path in life" (which is through Scorpio energies; and J certainly has his fair share of Scorpio happening). (I had an unsupported Uranus/Mars relationship once--that is, I had that lightning-bolt through the heart. I've been in and out of love many times in my long life, but I must say nothing felt like that one. And it was unsuitable in a dozen ways. It was, however, very vitalizing at all sorts of levels. Had I happened on this relationship earlier in my life I probably would have given up a lot to pursue it; as it was I was a little too wise and experienced to go for it--and the guy in question was much younger, with kids (as was I). The pangs of that, however, endured until, thank the goddess, the person left my area. *sigh*. Very instructive in what Uranus can do to an otherwise rational soul. Of course, the dude was a double Pisces.) Probably a lot of crushes are Uranus or Neptune based. But in this couple, the Uranus energy is simply part of a bigger picture, with many connections. That point of the Uranus/Mars conjunct is also opposite kaki's Chiron/Black Moon in Taurus; this relationship may help her claim or reclaim her very lusty and abundant and sensory center (on the surface she may appear kind of intellectually driven, but she has a lot of, um, juice and passion there beneath the surface). And it will certainly engage his power and sympathy (Ceres for him is also here close to Mars) Her Aquarian Moon is trine his Libra Pluto (in the 10th house) which may give support to his career, or at any rate emotional understanding and by in and an open mind. His Saturn is close to her ascendant. It may seem strange to think that Saturn connections are desireable in a love relationship, but they are, they help give long lasting relationships. We learn from our lovers and mates, and when we have Saturn working for us we learn well. (it isn't always fun, I must say, but it is good). Her Juno is at his midheaven; he may (in his public guise) seem like her ideal partner; or she may foster his career with all his heart. I haven't much knowledge or experience of the Davidson relationship chart concept, but hey, it's available on astro.com (the concept has something to do with creating the relationship's chart based on some mathematical relationship between the elements of the two charts). So I did it (or the computer did it) and the relationship chart thus produced looks pretty nice: a lot of concentration in the house of marriage, Juno and Ceres conjunct at the ascendant (your relationship, if you care, kaki, is, according to Davidson, a Libra with an Aquarian moon and Aquarius rising; full of intellectual delights and pleasures. The Libra sun, conjunct Venus and Pluto, falls in the 7th house. So, what about J's current transits? Well, the current Mercury retrograde is just across from his risingsign Mercury; so it is likely hitting him fairly hard. Could be great for "I have suddenly achieved intuitive understanding of my partnerships in life and of myself, this is great". Or it could be "where did I put my keys?" Venus is also in transit through the 7th house, so it is a good time in partnerships in general, a lot of potential sweetness. Jupiter is in the 2nd house conjunct his north node; good for expanding what is valued in the life, good for "I must really work on what I really care about and my true path in life". Neptune and Uranus are both in the 3rd house (at the start and end) so there could be--well, original and sympathetic communication, and/or the people around him, particularly those "like siblings" are needful and eccentric (could work both ways for sure). Saturn is in the 9th house. J. may have been experiencing some delays or disappointments involving long range travel, higher education, spiritual search...breaking beyond the boundaries of his life. And they are likely to continue for a while; this is a period of completion of one phase of his life; when Saturn hits his midheaven at the end of Virgo will be a harvest time--new responsiblities and possible success, or "okay, let's reconsider it all". (in a moment I'll see if I can see when that crossover into the 10th house is going to be happening--not for quite a while I think, Saturn doesn't sprint.) Looks like late October,2009. Right now the Moon is conjunct Venus. Just for a moment. Pretty romantic. (Kaki, by the way, is looking great these days, with Venus in her first house. Pluto is in J's first house, so he has a lot of power as people meet him and is garnering strong first impressions--can be negative sometimes, but I doubt it; mostly people should simply be charmed by the guy). Kaki has Jupiter in her 8th house currently, enhancing 8th house matters (sexuality, inheritance, joint opportunities, etc). Uranus is floating still in her 10th house (changes in career and in the public image); Neptune in the 9th house (good for intuitive studies) Mars is currently conjunct her Sun--lots of energy there. And Pluto is in her house of partnerships--well, could bring some strong people, some transformations. Trine her own Venus (that is good, and kind of sexy, actually). Saturn in the 4th: must pay attention to the home, the foundation, family, one's roots (this Saturn in Virgo period will be hitting a number of her planets in the 4th house; look to it as an opportunity for building for the future, kaki, don't let it get you into a state of "why can't I always do what I want?"--then you'll be fine. Great charts. (I still haven't figured out why J's makes me smile; soooo strange.).

And hello, kakiphony, whose foxy avi is awesome, welcome, my dear, to your Saturn return. Have you been feeling it? Kakiphony's Saturn is in Leo conjunct her Sun in the 3rd house, opposing her 9th house moon in Aquarius, and if I am reading charts correctly she is just about exactly at the exact Saturn return point (the effect, though, goes on for some time on either side of the exact aspect). Third house themes (and 9th house themes) would be where we'd expect to see kakiphony being nudged into a new status; actualizing communication skills? education? (relationships with siblings, those who are like siblings?). Figuring out where the network really is? Sometimes during the return things/people/places that were very important to us lose their central importance to make room for the new. This is not without grief and struggle, unless of course you are all wise and ascended and stuff (I wasn't). Ceres is also in the 3rd house, between Saturn and the Sun; she may have a gift for nuturing communications; she may have taken care of siblings or neighbors (or have been cared for herself by neighbors/siblings). As Saturn reconnects with Ceres any early lacks she may have felt (like "hey, there wasn't really ANY nuturing going on, often", or "well, that was needless sentimentality") is going to be tweaked a bit. Good thought for this period is "yes, I deserve admiration and care, and I can give admiration and care" Since kakiphony has Saturn conjunct her sun, however, she may go through these changes with more ease than some (it feels familiar to her nature, or at least her conscious sense of who she is). Okay, it might just be because writing is part of my soul, and I have the sun/moon opposition across the 3rd and 9th houses, so I could be projecting something here--but I must blurt out that when I looked at this chart the first thing I thought was "she's a writer". There's that Uranus conjunct the north node in Scorpio in the 5th house. Okay, doesn't have to be writing, but for goodness sakes, something with the 5th ("it is your nature to go forth and gamble wildly!!") (nah. I think something more creative, but playful--which will be interesting for your Leo self and your Gemini rising and your Aquarian moon). Midheaven is in Aquarius. Come on now, surely things of the mind matter to you a lot, yes? Maybe??? With a Saturn/Sun 3rd house conjunct though, it may be that you had early doubts about your ability to communicate (3rd house) or even that the full shine of a dramatic Leo sun soul was shaded by demands (from parents, from life) for control, discipline, early responsiblity (for siblings, perhaps, given that this is the 3rd house). If this was so, the return of Saturn to his original place may, once it passes, leave you more certain of yourself in this arena. Saturn is one of the points of a T square (Uranus is the central point, squaring both moon and saturn and interestingly--well, actually you have a grand square, because Chiron makes the fourth point, in early Taurus, in the 11th house (wishes, and associations with friends/acquaintances). (I can't believe how many forumites have Chiron in the 11th. Good grief. Early trauma in groups...I guess the brilliant, geeky kids have all flocked now to the BPAL forum and found comfort) (I'm frankly surprised my own Chiron is not in the 11th, actually) Home ground, your roots, your traditional values, your refuge--4th house--is very intimately important in your chart, with Leo on the cusp (drama, generousity in the home) and lots of elegant Virgo going on (Venus, Mercury, Mars; Venus and Mercury are conjunct; you have a taste for the truly good in literature--this doesn't mean, by the way, that you can't enjoy trash, but that you really know authentically beautiful things, books, and so on--and have a home in which that sense of discernment is apparent). You may feel freest to express yourself in your home, or on your homeground, in your own territory (although with a 9th house moon you could certainly benefit from travel and widening your horizons in all ways). And you may have an elegance of discourse, or a tenderness (Venus conjunct Mercury), as well as the ability to take action. (mars in the 4th) on behalf of your roots or your home. And you've got transformative and demanding Pluto in the 5th, in Libra (plus the Uranus/north node)(in Scorpio)...creativity (or love affairs, or children, or...) may be very much all or nothing affairs for you--there is the tendency to really go into something, and then...pause a long while--and then restart. (it's okay, really, creative flow--or love affairs--don't have to be all steady and boring, do they?) Neptune in Sag in the 6th is super responsive to the environment (at a trivial level, you may have allergies and so on, at a more deep or metaphoric level, you need to have as little stress as you can manage--no, do not stress about this). This imaginative Neptune is in relation to practically everything else in your chart; when chosing (assuming you have a choice) work for pay (as opposed to career, which is Aquarian, and hey, you should be out there publishing something, I think...or, okay, traveling or teaching or thinking higher thoughts)--needs to use your imagination and/or be something in which you tangibly feel you are helping some poor unfortunates (of any species or anything: it can be saving paper clips from being thrown out, could be anything at all--the importance is how you perceive it. You must perceive that your tasks are imaginative and engaging or helpful and preferably all of those things. Or you will be miserable, and your health will show it. Jupiter in the 12th is a real ace in the hole (it's in Taurus): this is kind of the last minute rescue, the fairy godperson who drops in when needed. Oddly, you may not be overtly cheerful (particularly with the Saturn/Sun conjunct) (and with the hopefulness of Jupiter kind of hidden from you) but there is this wonderful sort of second wind effect: all may seem over...and then, by golly, yes, I think she can do it! Jupiter very helpfully is trine to your Aquarian moon and to mars (inner self and action thereby facilitated), square to Venus (okay, a little bit of the brakes on--or, conversely, flashes of overenthusiasm) (Jupiter in Taurus might expand things like your taste for music) Actually, rethink that comment on cheerfulness. A Gemini ascendant will at least appear very cheerful (and often younger than her years--an effect that can last well into your life). kakiphony, if you are not a writer, kindly consider at least starting to keep a journal or something. During a Saturn return (in the 3rd house no less) would be an excellent time to do something like this in any case--and in your case I think particularly apt.

Wishlists/Favorites: Etsy Wishlist Amazon wishlist (If this link fails for some reason, the e-mail to search is the one listed on my questionnaire) Yule UpdateI have not yet bought a thing since my husband's birthday is this week and all my extra pennies are going toward a super nice dinner out for him! I actually probably will not buy much from this one -- I might try and snag a decant or two after the whole thing has blown over and people are selling theirs off. Yule is just traditionally not my best scents. The things that intrigued me and that I'd like to smell are: Black Temple Burlesque Troupe (but I fear it will be a dark musk which is death for me), Gingerbread Temples (I do like ginger, but traditionally most Yule gingerbread scents have been too sweet/foody for me), Risalamande (I like almond, but tend to loathe cherry, so this is one I purely want to sniff in a TINY amount), Mrs. Grose (this could be one of those rare roses that works on me), Gacela of the Dark Death (this actually sounds like an awesome room/candle scent to me), Krampus (a traditional favorite, but I have aged back-ups so don't neeeeeed it.) I'm looking forward to the bptp update since winter makes me in the mood for bath products and I am drooling over that teaser picture Puddin' posted of a Spanked candle! If it's a Yule candle inquisition, I am afraid I will not be able to control myself. Holiday things you miss? The one thing I've been whining about is that New Belgium has not released Frambozen in Michigan (at least it's not on the inventory lists I've seen at the bar). It's such a lovely seasonal treat. Otherwise, I miss my grandpa's peanut butter fudge. We have his recipe, but it never tastes the same. He must have had a secret he failed to pass down. Where can I find your Q&A? Do you have a wishlist post/blog and does it link other things like Etsy/Amazon? I do believe that my two forum wishlists (the bpal one and the non-bpal general swap help one) are both linked in my signature. I'll put these questions in a blog post and link that as well. There are a TON of old blog posts with Q&As from several years worth of circular swaps as well. I'll throw amazon and etsy wishlist links onto the blog post which I will make for this swap. So, if you were to come into an unexpected windfall (a huge amount of cash), what would you get for yourself? A really big windfall would go to paying off debt and making home repairs on the rental house we own so we could stand a better chance of selling it. Smaller windfalls would go toward smaller things: A month or two of unlimited yoga, a new yoga bag, jewelry, some new sweaters (I'm wanting to phase in some V and round necks so I'm not all turtlenecks all the time!), socks, bath scrubs or soaks, good tea, fancy chocolate, nice long underwear, etc. Do you prefer votives, tarts, tapers or jar candles (if you are into candles)? My tart burner is MIA, so at the moment I prefer other varieties. Jars are nice because they are self contained and do well in the bathroom. Votives and pillars are both easy because I just throw them on a saucer and go! Tapers are a bit more bother because my candlesticks like to hide from me, but are so pretty when they're lit at a meal that they're almost always worth the hunt. Any books you've been meaning to get for yourself but haven't yet? My amazon wishlist is pretty complete and up to date. Someone else mentioned the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, and since I LOVE that site, I bet I'd also love the book. Is there any Bath etailer that you want to try? That you love? What do you want from there? What's your favorite bath item? No etailer in particular, but I am open minded and love many of them. New to me or local to you is also great! We go through a LOT of bar soap in my house and in winter I do also use soak and scrubs. Tea? I know there was a favorite foods ...but what about drinks? Hot Tea? Hot Cider? other hot beverages? what about perhaps one of those soups in a jar mix? Tea is always lovely. I drink loads of black tea and flavored black tea, oolong, and a bit of green. For herbal teas, I tend to like mint or licorice blends and dislike rooibos and rosehips. I have a mild chamomile allergy, so unless it's way far down on the ingredients, I avoid it. Lately, I've been having a hard time finding one of my favorite brands of ea: Kusmi. It used to be everywhere and now is nowhere! I love the Zoubrovka, Anastasia, Troika, Bouquet #108, and Prince Vladimir. Hot cider is lovely and is cocoa. And soup in a jar sounds fun! Colors You Like/Dislike?I tend to prefer bright, cool, jewel tones (sapphire and cobalt, kelly and emerald, scarlet, deep turquoise), black and grey. Pastels are not my thing. Autumnal hues I like in small doses (orange, muted greens, browns, etc). They're OK, just look bad on me! I'll try to throw some photos/links on the blog post under this question. Colors coming soon.... Do you have any fiber allergies? Nope! sweet Solstice Sister, what color of nail polish would brighten your senses or make you smile? Glitter or no? I only paint my toes, never my fingers (it feels weird!) and I tend to like bright somewhat traditional colors: Red, hot pink, etc. I will occasionally also do bright blue, green or really dark blood red. No glitter and I like colors with coverage (not sheer). This is because I paint my toes to hide the fungus. Socks? I wear a US shoe size 6.5 which usually puts me in the standard sock size (I think the sock size says 9 to 11?? It always confuses me. What I know is that most off-the-rack socks will fit me just fine.) I'm a fan of stripess and argyles in not too crazy colors, less a fan of cutesy designs (animals, cartoon things, etc). (Purple, red, blue, green, black, gray, etc = love. Orange, chartreuse, silver, gold, sparkles, not as much love.) I like knee socks. I like wool and wool blends, cotton and cotton blends. Smartwool is the gold standard, but too expensive. Sock Dreams makes some lovely styles and I do also like their OTK socks, but prefer the ones with more synthetic in them fro stretch since I have really scrawny legs and the more cotton kind tend to fall down. The slubby OTKs are great with boots. I also seriously heart tights and all the same color, pattern and material preferences apply. Jewelry? Pierced Ears? Do you like necklaces/pendants? Bracelets? Rings? I love jewelry. My one planned indulgence beyond bpal and good soap is is jewelry from bpaler updates on etsy. I tend to wear mostly necklaces and earrings. Bracelets I wear rarely and the only rings I wear are my wedding band and engagement ring. For necklaces that are made to sit close to the collar bone I liked 16". I do wear turtlenecks in the winter, so some longer things designed to sit more in the mid-chest area be they strands of beads or single dangles are also lovely. Earrings I wear both studs and dangles, but I tend to prefer shorter dangles (because of the turtlenecks!) Anything you're particularly wanting from the Lab/Post at the moment? How about GCs you keep meaning to get but never get around to? The GC I always want, but never seem to buy is Sudha Segara. I'm not DYING for anything, although that may change once we see the BPTP Yules... Do you have any fandoms? Not really. I like Harry Potter all right and Twin Peaks, but I'm not an active fan girl of either. Does anything from Two Timing Tart interest you? I've never heard of this seller before, so I'm not drooling. However, I'm always open to new things. I would say if it inspires you, just use my general likes/dislikes as a guide and have fun! Does anything from Sock Dreams interest you? Many, many things. See my general comments about tights and socks. I think on my general wishlist (linked in signature) I have some Sock Dreams specific hints. Any movies (holiday or otherwise) that you want to see but never get around to? Not that I can think of off the top of my head... Do you need any smartphone accessories (case, skin, etc)? I am all set thanks! Small samples of homemade booze? That would be lovely. Is there anything from local farmer markets that would interest you? Soap, jam, syrup, spices, etc. Really, I'm game to try anything local to you that you think looks awesome! Do you have a favorite animal (or breed of animal)? (Red) Foxes and crows/ravens. Do you like stuffed toys/animals? I don't love them for myself, but I do keep a toybox at my house for visiting children. They tend to play with those items. Would you like/want anything Disney-related, or from Disneyland? No thank you. Posted Today, 01:05 PM You know, I feel like I should revise/expand my Disney answer. I'm not a big fan of animated films -- Disney or otherwise. And I don't collect related merch. However, I love a lot of the old live action films that they used to re-run on Wonderful World of Disney when I was a kid: Davy Crockett, Swamp Fox, Thomasina, Pollyanna, One and Only Genuine Original Family Band, Swiss Family, Watcher In the Woods, Something Wicked This Way Comes, the Witch Mountain movies, etc. Another question! How do people feel about puzzles? Board games? Any particular ones that you might like or have and would like additions to? I haven't built a jigsaw puzzle in years. I remember liking it, but having the clear table space might be an issue. I loathe Sudoku, but like crosswords. Someday I will complete the Holy Grail of Crosswords: An unaided NYTimes. The only games my husband and I own is Scrabble. We play occasionally, less often now that he works nights. I hate cards. I like Scattergories, but that game lives with my parents. We once in a great while play Cranium or Settlers of Cataan with my sister and her husband. I love Trivial Pursuit, but no one will play with me. $10 Wal-Mart type thingamabob: Nothing in particular, but when I have an extra $10 in places like that I tend to buy peppermint gum, chocolate, lip balm or tea. If you answered yes to any beverage-related questions, what exactly do you like in tea, coffee, alcohol, cocoa, cider, etc.? I think I have some good guidance on this in my general swap help post which is linked in my signature. Stones? What color/types of stones, precious, semi precious or otherwise do you like? Lately I seem to be drawn to blue and blue/green stones: turquoise, prehnite, labradorite, moonstone, chalcedony, etc. I also always love carnelian, amber, jade (green and honey), hematite, citrine, and pearls.

Snake Oil and Vixen (as well as the Snake Pit scents and Spanked) are my Red Musk exceptions. I can wear them and NOT have old man cologne. Everything else though does it for me. I've decided it's something about the combination of that particular red musk with that particular patchouli (which loves me) and spices. Although, I prefer many of the Snake Pits (and spanked and Vixen) to Snake Oil. SO actually goes a bit powdery on me. (And lately, so does Vixen.)

I vote it's the musk. I CANNOT wear any musk with very occasional exception of red musk and then only in very select blends. Musk = grandpa cologne on me. EVERY. TIME.

DSH Perfumes Eau de Fleurs d’Oranger du Roi Thé Vert Secreti di Belle Donne (Venice) La Fete Nouvelle Au Lait (a milk scent) Hippie Chic DSH Special Formula X-treme Les Petites DSH Special Formula X Sienna Celadon: A Velvet Green Prana