Gateau

Can't believe I never reviewed this, what with being a Midsummer Nights Dream obsessive and all. In the imp--pear and other fruits, sweet flowers Wet--juicy grape and pear, mostly just sweet floral and fruit Dry--the fruits all blend, the flowers are white and clean but aromatic. And the whole thing shimmers with something crystalline (a pale musk?) and represents dew and moonlight. After awhile a muskiness emerges to temper some of the white grape sweetness. Overall it's like a very expensive melon or ose very elegant sugared fruits on a fancy alfresco luncheon table. In all, just what the description says. I'm not sure it's strictly Titania to me, who I imagine would have something more serious, dangerous, and regal going on, but it's definitely fairylike. Good thing I like it since I spilled 1/3 imp on my desk!

This smells like I got motor oil on my hands at the gas station while drinking ginger ale. That fizzy ginger ale from Polynesian Pop is impressively real, but the industrial scents make me feel ill.

I was so excited to try this, and it started out wonderfully rich and toffee-like, but as I wore it I got a strong leafy tobacco, oaky Scotch, cologne sort of vibe. Looks like I'm not alone in that.

Sage and sweet pea, combining into something creamy and soapy. It reminds me of baby lotion. Not something I want to wear, but it's pretty and makes me think of pampering my babies.

This one is intriguing me. It goes on as a bright red oil, very pretty! The immediate smell on me is fairly citrusy and aquatic in a detergent sort of way. But as it dries I get a bergamot-y incensey scent that starts to grow on me. Once it dries I am in beeswax-vanilla heaven, with occasional citrus whiffs. I think I'll wear my decant a few more times to decide for sure, but this is feeling bottle worthy.

I like the heliotrope and the background tang of wasabi, but this is mostly red musk on me, and red musk and I simply do not get along.

This started out with a sweet flowery Blue Morpho vibe, but then the powdery/bitter side of the black locust and magnolia came forward. It's nice, but not really for me.

2011 version. Sweet juicy sugary plums and sweet flowers. It's supremely sweet and pretty. I don't find it particularly wintery. reminds me of a deeper purple version of Sugar Plum Fairy. And just as I think I've finally found a plum note that stays sweet and juicy on me, there it is, the Plastic Plum of Doom. I am sad, I wanted this to stay delicious. So I'm still looking for a purple fruit scent I can wear.

Pure laundry detergent from start to finish. It's a nice laundry detergent, like one I used to use in Paris, but it's still soap. Sadly for me, the aquatics and mints that make up snow scents just don't play right on me. I never got any skin or rose in this.

This one is basically Pussy plus orange on me. They share a honey note, and it's a sort of warmly dusty honey that puts me in mind of dust motes in a beam of sunlight. That dusty sense is amplified by the ambers (and by tobacco leaf in Pussy). Vanilla here, instead of tonka. The orange zest smells like when you squeeze a rind over a candle -- there is a fruity slightly burned bitterness that makes this more wintery to me. Definitely considering a bottle.

This one was like a gingerbread-spiced version of Sprinklecake on me, with that same unpleasant sugary canned fruit smell. I don't know if that's the fruity candy in this or something in the Lab's frosting note, but it just didn't play nice on me. I'll stick with Gingerbread Poppet for my gingerbread perfume needs!

I found this very pretty, mostly a rose-gardenia floral with hints of the honey-vanilla sweetness and a fruitiness. But there wasn't much to distinguish it from Endymion or La Belle au Bois Dormant in the end, so while I'll probably use up my decant I don't see the need for a bottle.

In the bottle: green and nutty, I guess that's sap and acorns Wet: The green sap and nutty acorn meat hover on top, while a rich wood scent emerges Drydown: the wood is taking over, and the green and nutty scents are receding. I'm also getting a sense of dry leaves. Dry: This has mellowed into a wonderfully warm and comforting woodsy scent. The leaves are a perfect representation of the last copper leaves clinging to the branches in November, dry, crackly, and aromatic. The lunar oils make the whole thing shimmer. Bottom line: what a great exploration of a mighty oak tree in late fall. And the bottle art is just gorgeous.

My father smells wonderful in Calico Jack. Like a more sophisticated Old Spice. My husband smells great in a proto bottle I have of Mr. Quibit. I hope the final version smells like it when he runs out!

Imp--ginger and green stems Wet-ginger and green floral Drydown--ginger soap Dry--warm, soft sweet ginger. I've lost the green and the floral, but never got any milk or honey. It's a shame, because I want to smell what everyone else is smelling!

This was a frimp from the Lab. Based on the notes I wasn't even going to try it, way too dark for me, and with lots of death notes--vetiver, blackened sandalwood.... But before tossing into the swap pile I figured I'd at least sniff it. Whoa! Not dark at all, in fact very fresh and lemony, and it's a green sort of vetiver that reminds me of good french soap. On my skin it starts lemony and then slowly blends down into something fresh and masculine. My husband, who rarely likes anything, perked up when I put it on, but thought it might be better on him.

I'm getting a lot of earthy patchouli here, similar to the one in Depraved, which is the only patch I've ever liked. Then there's aromatic wood--sandalwood? Cedar? In all, its deep, eartthy, woodsy, warm. I don't get light, per se, but I do get golden warmth. It's the kind of earthy dirt scent I like, there's no damp in it at all.

This is a light sweet floral that definitely reads PINK to me, as with so many other folks here. There is a touch of green and white in it, from the daisy and carnation, and I also get a bit of candy fruitiness. I don't pick up the pink peppercorn spiciness, which I generally love, just get the floral and the sweet fruit. It's very close to how Sugar Plum Fairy smells on me, so this is a good GC suggestion for those who love that one. This is more of a young girl's scent than one I expect I'd wear much of. Luckily I have an 8 year old niece to gift.

This was a frimp from e Lab. It's a strong, sharp, herbal lavender, nearly one note on me into the dry down. Then a licorice note emerges and blends beautifully with the lavender. I thought this would be more of a wakeup blend than a sleep blend, given the sharpness and freshness (I tend to go to sleep to the sweet lavender creaminess of TKO) but damned if I didn't pass out on the sofa the night I tested this. If TKO is a sweet lavender tea with cream, this is the unsweetened herb tea version but they both work for me.

Carnal surprised me with it's deliciousness. So simple--mandarin and fig, but so yummy on my skin. It starts out like orange candy, and mellows out into a softly spicy, fruity, but not sugary warm mandarin orange. my only gripe is that it doesn't last long on my skin. It makes a nice complement to fig-white sandalwood hair gloss.

Got a fresh imp from the Lab, and though I'm not a big resin fan, I really do get what all the love is about. This is like a resin greatest hits medley on me, starting with patchouli and working through incense to dragons blood. In this phase i dont find it that pleasing. Eventually, the vanilla comes out, and the resins calm down and the whole thing melds into a vanillaed smokiness that is really nice on my skin. I am guessing that what I'm looking for is aging, so I think I'll buy a bottle now to put away.

Bottle--I smell the lavender and I smell a slightly tangy cake, but not the full-on cheesecake I've smelled in other cheesecake blends. This is good. Wet--the lavender is there and the cheesecake is there, and they're sort of colliding into each other and neither one is showing itself entirely. Whiffs of my favorite honey-lavender ice cream peek through. Dry--Mmmmmm, the lavender has gotten on top, and it's a beautiful herby lavender, the kind that makes me think of Provence. The cheesecake is there below it, sweet and warm and not very tangy. I can't pick out honey specifically, but I think it's providing a warm dusky note. If this were a dessert it would be very sophisticated and I'd gobble it up. Bottom line--I took a chance on this because I love lavender confections, even though I usually find cheesecake scents to be something I don't really want to wear, and I've had trouble with the Lab's lavender. But this really works for me. Only downside is it's a close to skin scent that fades relatively quickly on me.

In the decant -- pumpkin, something cakelike, sugar hit Wet -- vanilla pumpkin, sweet and flowery Dry -- This is pretty. I can pick up the vanilla, florals, and bit of pumpkin. But all the sweet stuff converging makes this feel a little young and girly for me -- truly princessy! Bottom line -- a pretty, sweet blend, but not something I'll reach for. So I found a good new home for my decant.

1. So... someone has gifted you a $20 gift card from Walgreen's to ONLY use on things for yourself. No necessities here. What do you buy? Haribo gummies (maybe the peaches, haven't had them for a while), Milani Liquif'eye black eyeliner, crackle nail polish, Sally Hansen nail strips (maybe the fishet or lace ones). 2. I live near a brick and morter location for a really, really good spice store. Would you use cooking spices and if you would, what would you need? (It's Penzey's if you want to Google it.) Vanilla beans, good cinnamon, Mexican oregano, pink peppercorns, edible lavender. 3. Do you like knitted goods? If so, what would you like, what colors, and do you have any sensitivites or preference when it comes to type of yarn (ex: wool: yay or nay? Do you prefer machine washable materials? Do you not care?)? I'm a knitter and I love knitwear. Any fiber, as long as not scratchy. I could really use a hat to go with brown and camel coats. Favorite colors are earth tones and jewel tones (plus black) and love variegated yarns. 4. Hey swap partner... could you use a new mug? Don't need ceramic mugs, but could use one of the big plastic cold drink cups with a straw that look like to go cups. 5. Is there any sort of regional food/drink/treat you miss or have always wanted to try? I love to try regional treats of all kinds. Especially love hot sauces, pickled items, spices, interesting potato chips. 6. Do you do a Christmas tree? If yes is it themed or specially colored or do you just have all different ornaments and such? We do. It's very colorful and eclectic, so really anything goes. I like when ornaments symbolize personal interests (I have pickle, martini shaker, and carnival mask ones, for instance) so something knitting or perfume/cosmetics themed would be cool! 7. Would you like a special ornament? Sure! 8. Tim Tams. Yay or nay? Nom nom nom! 9. Now, a question of my own: I know some people are squicked out at the idea of eating things that other people make, or the thought of deep fried cookies sends them into cardiac arrest. If you were my fox, would you like to receive some homemade goodies, or would you prefer that your goodies came from the store? Would love your goodies! 10. Would any Bunny like to receive Holiday serving bowls, trays, platters etc...? Winter/Christmas or Thanksgiving/Fall themed? If they fit in our general decor, which is Arts & Crafts/Mission/handpainted sure. 11. My lovely fluffy Snow Bunny, would you like a body scrub made by me? If so, what scent(s) would you like, if you had to think along the lines of essential oils? And would you prefer sugar or salt? A dryer scrub or one that's more oily/moist? Oooh, wow. I have dry skin and love scrubs. Sugar and vanilla would thrill me to pieces. Also love pink grapefruit and sugar, lavender salt, or maybe something with amber. 12. Dear snow bunny, do you like candles? If yes, then what kind? Scented (what scents), unscented, what colors, do you like them plain/painted on the outside/with decorations attached to the surface/sculpted? I love unscented candles for the table. I am also fond of scented candles but rarely burn them because of little kids all over the place. It's a great way to enjoy woodsy scents that I can't wear because I amp woods, pine, etc. 13. Also what do you think of little soaps? I know most people don't use soaps nowadays but I love the chocolate/vanilla/cocoa/butter/sugar combo scents that I see at beauty stores.... I luuuurve soaps, all kinds. If they're pretty or amusing shapes, I love the guest soap concept, because I am a 50s housewife at heart. 14. Socks! Slippers! Do you love them or not really wear them? If you love them, do you also love Sock Dreams? I'm not big into socks, but I do wear them. I really don't wear novelty designs. SmartWool are amazing and I'd love another pair. I love Sock Dreams, mostly for my growing collection of OTK and thigh high socks. 15. Would you wear something like this if your Fox were to knit you one? If so, what color? Working from memory here -- if that was the cowl, I've never worn one. I don't like tight things around my neck, but if it's loose and warm, I think it would be much simpler to wear than a scarf. So yes! Earth/jewel/black would be great. 16. New question: talk to me of coffee. Whole bean? Ground? Flavored, not flavored? Decaf, whole caff? Favorite roasters? Drip, french press, keurig? BRING ON THE TEA? I love both coffee and tea. Coffee needs to be strong and unflavored, though good quality syrups in vanilla or caramel would be nice. I use both a steam espresso maker and a French press. Also have a drip, but it lives most of the time in the closet. Tea: love black teas. Don't really love heavily flavored ones, but once in a while I come across one that does work for me, including vanilla, mango, and blackcurrant. I like a touch of lapsang souchong for smokiness and good Earl Grey. Also like Moroccan Mint tea. 17. Who else here loves or would like to try Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics? If so, what would you like? Love OCC Lip Tar and would love to try more colors and their other products. I have: Petty Beige, Clear, Melange, Trollop, and Strutter. 18. Have you tried anything from Cocoa Pink and if so, what products and scents do you like or would like to try? Never did, but always willing! I like vanilla scents, especially if they're not heavily foodie (like combined with amber, etc.) 19. Anybody into nail polish? Any color or formula preferences? I love love love it. Especially love earthy metallics and duochromes. 20. If you found a $50 bill on the ground and were to place a Lab order, what would be in it? (And shipping is free through the magical BPAL unicorn!) If BPTP is allowed, I'd get a bottle of Honey or Fig/Sandalwood hair gloss. Then fill in with a bottle of Hermia and some wand caps. If all perfume, I'd get Hermia and Lady Una and make up the rest in imps (Lyonesse, Dorian, Snake Oil, Eat Me). 21. Is there any particular holiday DVD that you don't have that you would like to own? Muppet Christmas Carol and a new copy of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which got scratched. The Nutcracker, preferably the SF Ballet version. Oh, and Bad Santa for after the kids go to bed. 22. How do you feel about superheros? Are you a Marvel or DC fan? Do you have a favorite hero? Not a big superhero fan. I used to be Superman's trademark lawyer, though! 23. Would my bunny like anything in particular from Lush? I do have access to an actual Lush store, and also wouldn't mind ordering retro items online. Never been a big Lush fan, but if my favorite notes inspire you to gift something you think I might like, I would give it another chance. 24. Would you like a Paintbox from Paintbox Soapworks? If so, which scents? Love Paintbox, and only have a few items from them. Would love to try Snoggin', Comfort & Joy, Gingermilk, Big in Japan, This Charming Man soaps, White Snow and Avast Sorbettos. Or surprise me! 25. NEW QUESTION! - Do you have kids (or kid-like pets) who your fox may want to take into account, either in terms of a little extra goody or simple safety? I have three boys (ages 9, 5, and 10 months) and two lovely cats, but don't worry about all of them, worry about ME ME ME! 26. How do you feel about honey/beeswax? Would you like any? I love honey and beeswax products. 27. Are you a Trader Joe's fan, who either doesn't have a store nearby or just loves their stuff and has a wishlist? I am a whore for their seasonal salted caramels and also the spicy dried mangoes and pineapple. Luckily there is one right by my office, but I would not mind help stockpiling the caramels. 28. The Paintbox Soapworks Yules are up, or at least round one is (updates coming throughout the week). Interested in anything? see #24 29. If I were to place ONE LAST Weenie order, what would you want me to include for you? the only thing that really got me excited was Halloween: Las Vegas but I have some on order. 30. Will you be away for any part of the round? Just thanksgiving. 31. Anyone else with an Etsy store and a member of Tradeaholics (or you could join) and interested in bartering for gifts for their bunny? No shop. 32. What type of books do you like? Dying to read anything? Big reader! Check me out on goodreads under my real name. 33. Do you enjoy things that taste like roses? For example chewing gum, turkish delight, delicious goo that you eat by the spoonful out of a glass jar? Also, same question about mastic. Would you be interested in trying it out? Rose, yes. Violet, no. Never tried mastic, so sure. Note: rose-pomegranate mojitos are amazing. 34. If you like Christmas music (or any other holiday music, for that matter), what kind of style do you like? Traditional? Modern and poppy? Indie? Everything other than caterwauling pop stuff you hear in malls. 35. I live in the city of the chicken wing. If I were to send you something savory, what's your heat tolerance (or sweet and heat for that matter)? I love spicy food, pretty darn hot, but not so hot you can't taste anything else. Love sweet and heat combo so much! 36. If your fox/bunny were to gift you with a giftcard from anywhere, as in any store foodwise, music wise etc. what giftcard would you like? Sephora, etsy, Villainess, Trader Joes, iTunes 37. If I were to send you chocolate is there anything I should avoid as in nuts, cherries etc.? Also, what are some of your favorite holiday candies? I'm not a fan of mint. But I do like a candy cane now and then! Love salted caramels, toffee, butterscotch, that type of stuff. 38. Does anything from Fusion Sweets interest you? Yummy! It all sounds good! The stuff with salted caramel, chai, grapefruit, lychee, especially. 39. Interested in anything from the Elements and Artifacts Yule update? Oh lovely. Will update wish list. 40. What are your opinions on traditional holiday cookie flavorings? I'm thinking anise and cardamom in particular. I love anise. Cardamom I'm a little less crazy about, but I like it. Am a big cinnamon and ginger fan. 41. Do you like artisan oils and vinegars? Oh yes! 42. Charity gifts? Either fair-trade type stuff, or virtual type gifts, like vaccinations or school supplies being bought on your behalf, or something along those lines? I love the charities that provide needed supplies requested by teachers. But all your suggestions sound good to me. 43. Bunny, are you interested in tarts from Two Timing Tart? What scents, if any, are you interested in? I don't have a tart burner, but Insomniac sounds so good! Also any vanilla ones. 44. Do you need any holiday recipies? Is there something in particular that you'd like baked or made for you? And for those of you doing the no sugar/low sugar, etc. thing these days, how about savory things? I adore gingerbread and really any kind of fancy cookies. Not doing low sugar, but I also love savory treats. 45. Speaking about candles, how much do you look forward to the BPTP candles that will be launched on Etsy? I don't know if there will be other scents than the Samhain and Pumpkin Cookie one, but is there a specific one you are longing for? I don't really use a lot of scented candles. 46. Does anyone have issues with gently used things like books, etc.? Books, music, videos, kitchen items like gadgets and cookie cutters all fine. A little wary of fabric items. Oh, and will take used BPAL of course! 47. Are you a big ol' nerd for any particular subject? Science, math, linguistics, etc? Or particular authors/fandoms? No, I'm pretty diverse in my interests, not terribly obsessive about any one thing. 48. Bunnies, how do you feel about lemon-flavored items, like lemon marmalade, lemon curd, lemon pound cake, or lemon cookies? TO DIE FOR. If holborne is willing to nacho some of her lemon squares, I would take them! 49. fingerless mittens or full mitts? I have never tried fingerless and am sort of interested in what they're like. 50. reveal, yes or no? I am going to reveal, and I hope my fox wants to, but up to her/him. 51. Any favorite cuddly characters? I have a soft spot for Grover, but no room for any more cuddlies. 52. Moxie Nouveau groupon? I've never tried them, so would probably not know what to do with it, but wouldn't mind pointers! 53. what's your favourite colour? I love pinks, purples, peacock, aqua, emerald. All my leather accessories are pink. 54. Your favourite gemstone? If I had to pick one, I'd say fire opal. I also love diamond, ruby, emerald, aquamarine, sapphire, moonstone, garnet. 55. Your favourite animal (real or imaginary)? I'm not that into animals, but I'm always fascinated by gorillas and the big cats. 56. And do you have any intense phobias? Not really. 57. Are you Nano-ing this month, bunny? If so, how would you feel about merch/donations to the cause? Not this time, maybe someday. 58. Do you like/need boxes for perfume/knicknacks? I have a box that's pretty good for my bottles (not full yet!) but my imps are a disaster!

When I first read about this one, while loving the overall spirit of it, I assumed it wouldn't work on me. I love foodie smells, but find they often go plastic on my skin, don't love incense or tobacco smoke, find wine turns sour on me, and am a little scared by the intensity of Snake Oil. The more I thought about it, though, the more it intrigued, and I ended up ordering a bottle unsniffed. Then a partial decant arrived with my Weenie decants and I WAS HOOKED. I get a boozy, smoky tobacco (not the smoke, the delicious rich leaf) at first, then a winey grapiness that's neither too sweet nor too sour. The cake and frosting swirl in, as do the incense, Snake Oil, and Dorian components. "Swirling" is the best word I can come with for it -- there truly is a sense of many things happening all at once, as if you're going through a room with a big party in it and encountering different smells along the way. It ends up with remnants of red velvet cake -- that perfect blend of vanilla and cocoa -- and the wonderful dregs of the party. It's sexy, it's delicious, it's rich, smoky, and heady, but all without being overpowering. I ordered more, I want to have this around for a long, long time. Happy anniversary!