smallvoice

Aww! It's sweet that he did compliment you even though he didn't like it, but I understand the irritation over it too. I like a lot of citrus blends, but here's the thing- I know you've tried a bunch of stuff already, so I'm sorry if I'm recommending stuff you've tried and hated or something. Kunstkammer is a lot like Tweedledee to my nose. I think it probably ages well, because I had an imp that was older and was a warm and spicy orange, but my bottle just isn't to that point yet. (Or it could just be my wonky chemistry) So that might be worth a shot! Katharina is probably my number one scent right now, so I'm biased. I love white musk, and the feeling is mutual. How are you with white musk? Heh. Anyway, Katharina is lovely and soft and not too sweet, and it borders on foody without really crossing that line. The apricot with orange blossom is a lovely mix and it is a sweet orange-feeling scent without that sharpness of citrus. (ETA: It should be noted that I don't think of this one as hypersweet...) I haven't tried Kuang Shi, but it's now on my short list (except there's the sandalwood of doooom). Mandarin orange, white musk, mango, and white sandalwood. It sounds like something you might like, anyway... I don't get a lot of orange out of Jailbait, and I'm pretty sure you've reviewed it, but I thought I'd toss it out there anyway, as it's one of my favourites, and the first one my husband really remarked on. (ETA: Jailbait, on the other hand, may be a little sweet for you. Sorry!) And here is where I veer away from orange, because I just don't know a lot of scents that have it! My other citrus favourites include lemon and lime, with the occasional grapefruit. I like the grapefruit tempered with the mint in Shattered. I love love LOVE Whitechapel. You may like Absinthe, possibly? (I tried it once, but I don't remember the outcome, sorry!) Embalming Fluid is another good one that's not floral. And I'll conclude with Shanghai, which I've never tried but sounds fantastic. I hope this has been at least a little helpful!

It's finally time to start! I'll let you know if I get my quota in today. It's also my sister's birthday. Must remember to call her.

I know I need to work out more. I do. I've seen the wedding photos, and I want to be healthy. I need to be healthy. Here's the thing. This is week 7 of 12 in the quarter. I have 6 hours logged- which is better than I've done in the past, for sure! But instead of needing 14 hours, I need 25. Here's the other thing: The lab will be open the week of Thanksgiving, but we don't get credit for working out that week. Whahuh?? And I don't think we can work out week 12, though I might be wrong. So I need 19 more hours. I kind of want them done before Thanksgiving... so I'm going to be going in every day this week and working out the full 90 minutes, instead of an hour as I've been doing. (I can only get credit for the first 90 minutes I work out per day.) So if I work out for 90 minutes for the next 5 days that'll be an additional 7.5 hours, for a total of 13.5 hours. Then, week 8, I'll do all 6 days for another 9 hours will be 22.5... Which means I'll have 2.5 hours for week 9. Bwahaha! It's a pipe dream, to be sure. But it'd be nice to just get it out of the way.

This is indeed a golden blend, and it does promote feelings of joy and well-being in me. I think I will enjoy this over the winter, when I feel like a contrast or when I'm longing for warmer days. I don't know what to say about it, because I don't get the notes seperately at all. I think the lemon adds a neat spark to the blend, the vanilla musk is perfect, and the amber is absolutely golden, but that's about it. I know there are florals, but they are delicous and stay where they ought; they don't overwhelm. It's just joyful!

I think I may draw on my experiences with people here to include in my novel, but there is one name in particular I plan on using in it- Valentina. So, lady, let me know if you want me to keep my grubby hands off your name or if it's okay. It's going to be an all female cast as far as present action goes, but male figures will play a part in past events and whatnot. I'm excited! Now to get it all outlined. I need to get back to detailing my main character! I just wanted to share- but one of my personal dares to myself is to draw on something from the forums for each chapter, so... anyway. Madness commence! Or commence madness! Or whatever. Evs! Ack.

For lil ole me? Wow! We're going to be able to read this, right??? Well... it depends. On if I like it at all... and how far along I get into it... and if I edit it. And of course for you! Like I could leave you out! I need to sketch out in my head what kind of character you'll be and why you're in this limbo sort of place. It's sort of a supernatural crossroads... or labyrinthine thingy. It's a thing. Anyway! Do you want to be earthbound or otherwise? More character depth! I love her! I don't think she'll be a fashion photographer; just a regular photographer. Besides; papier mache heads are way more interesting than fashion.

I would have to strongly second clover's rec of Euphrosyne- it is creamy and lovely, and Euphrosyne is the Gratiae/Charity of mirth, I think! Le Serpent Qui Danse is another good gardenia, but unless she hates roses and loves violets, I'd really lean towards Euphrosyne... then again, I love Euphrosyne.

Like Ginevra, the seaspray notes just don't work for me. It is refreshing, but it simply isn't my type of scent... and that's sad. For me! But somebody else will love it, and the cycle of swapping will return something to me that I must love. Still, I was so prepared to be head over heels with this one that I'm a bit wistful. And, seriously, how awesome is the label? ETA: Proper spelling.

More inspiration! I know Valentina isn't your real name, but she's going to be based off of how I perceive you, with some embellishment, and now I know what she looks like, too! I'm pretty excited about November arriving now. Antimony is in there, and yellowroses, and I've got ideas for 'snarky and Ms. Inkdarkmoon. Things are starting to take shape! Now I need to map out basic scenes- how things unfold. But I'm really tired. And I have to get up early tomorrow! But it's all good.

I just got around to trying this oil. I received it in a swap recently, but I have not, in the past, been over-fond of lavender, and I know I'm not friends with sandalwood. I know I like ylang-ylang, and I think I like the lab's black opium poppy, but I'm not sure about chamomile or bamboo pulp. When I first open the decant and then dab it on, it is overwhelmingly sharp lavender. Eventually it is softened by something else in the blend. Wow, I was expecting more from the poppy! I think I can smell the poppy peeking out, but it's really well blended, and it smells like a lovely aromatherapy shop or something. It's very pretty and soothing. I'll hang on to my imp, but I don't think I'll wear it out. Intriguing!

I'm actually in a fairly good mood. I got my switchee's package all wrapped up and mailed out today in what I thought was a flat rate box, but was not. Ah well. The box is painfully small, but it is well packed and there are a few things in there I think she'll enjoy. Now to wait for her to get it! I love this part- not so much the waiting, but the hoping she'll love it and knowing it's on the way. By the way, inky, I knew you were monet's switch witch- something about the bubble tea in the drawing made me think of you. Dude! You're an artist! I hope you all have been as spoiled as I have. My SW still hasn't done a reveal, but left me a note saying that she would do that very soon. I'm on pins and needles! I'm really glad that my husband and I get to be together... we didn't realize how much the housemate was draining our emotional resources- and we already thought he was draining too much. As for the housemate... only time will tell if he and I will get back to a place of friendship. Right now, wounds need time to close up and heal. After that, it's sort of in his court. The boy and I are getting used to being comfortable in our own home with one another, and that is a good feeling. With the exception of the ever present money issue. Gah.

The package should arrive (sans knitting project) monday or tuesday. There was a small one earlier, but nothing really in between. I got caught up in life issues, but I tried to be communicative. I just haven't been lately. I was going to draw you something, but now I'm glad I didn't! I would now be embarrassed. But I am so glad that you got praised on your creativity, because now you know you have it in you! And you were so worried about lacking in that area! Oh, and Snarky, if you're reading this, I loved your post about wearing the striped socks to your departmental dinner- it made me laugh, in a much needed, good sort of way! yr- where are yooou? I miss hearing from you.

I'm almost afraid to post this, because it sounds so absurd.... but I think this smells a lot like cucumber, and I've found that I do not like the scent of cucumbers. Yeah, I don't get a lot out of it, and I'm wondering if it is the gardenia giving that scent... it reminds me a little of my lovely Euphrosyne, but is not nearly as wonderful to me. (When did I start loving rose? I've never loved the scent of roses!) All this talk of violet candy and violet gum makes me want to try some! I wish the violets were a little bit stronger to maybe balance and ground this, but it just doesn't smell good on me.

Reminds me of something I would smell at my favourite loose tea shop! Physically chilling when it first hits my skin. I love the berry in this, and blackberries and I usually don't get along. I think it may be blackberries with booze I don't like, though! I can definitely pick out sage and green tea in addition to the sweetness of the berry, and it's really, really lovely. I'll have to wear this imp a few more times before I make any decisions about it, but I do really like it right now- and the musk is this beautiful base that reminds me of Dorian. (The scent itself is nothing like Dorian, but it reminds me of the lovely, creamy musk in Dorian) ETA: Wow! The more I wear this, the more I like it! I think I must need a bottle! The green tea smells so refreshing, and the blackberry and sage combine with it in such a lovely, understated way! Gorgeous.

This is really fresh and clean to me. The mint is sweet, and it does indeed smell like a dream of the water, as someone put above me. I'm glad I got to try this imp, and I think I may give it further wear and thought. This seems like it might be a very good summer scent for me.

He left this morning. I'm still trying to reconcile my thoughts and emotions on the matter.

We're slowly getting back there. We hadn't realized how much of our energy was going towards him- we were basically parenting him, and it was our fault for enabling him, too. We've learned stuff, and we're adjusting to it being just us again and things are about to get fun again... I have missed having time alone with him! It is simply delicious.

I love white musk! For the GC, I'd second the rec for Whitechapel- it's gorgeous and citrussy and one of my all time favourites! Also, there's my current number one; Katharina. I can't believe nobody's mentioned her yet! Such a lovely blend. Dorian is an incredible light musk, as well. Oh, and I also second the Lady of Shalott. Very pretty, evocative blend. Embalming Fluid is another really nice one, especially if you like tea. Now I must find Night's Pavillion. And I really, really want to try Zephyr.

I feel like we got conned, and then I feel guilty for feeling that way. I wonder if he's lying, and I wonder if it matters. I feel glad that he's gone, and then I feel- you guessed it!- guilty. I feel angry that he didn't thank us, and I'd like to chalk that up to just him being who he is, but that even makes me mad. I feel awful for all the lengths my family and friends went to for him because he was my friend and I let him in. I feel angry that my husband and I didn't really get to be newlyweds because we were too busy parenting him. I cried this morning because we usually chat when I head out to school, and I just realized that it's never going to happen again. I feel guilty for feeling sad that he's gone, and I wonder if I did lose a friend, or if I lost a stranger. I just don't know what to do with the whole experience. I don't want this to become an angry part of me. And I don't want it to close me off from people, but I also don't want to feel taken advantage of again. I know everyone around me is acting like it's this big huge relief and celebration is in order and whatnot, and I agree and understand, but I miss my friend. And I shouldn't have to feel guilty for that. I don't have to feel guilty for it. I just do. (Wow, this should've been the entry, I guess. Sorry!)

Tested thanks to the GC swap quikslvr arranged! What is not to love in this blend? I was really excited to try it. In the imp it smells fresh and a little sweet- the champagne is understated; it's not a fizzy booze note by any means. There's a really green note in this that I wasn't expecting. The pear is more floral, like a pear blossom. On my skin: Something turns horribly sharp. Ew. This is not pretty on me. Whatever the green note was is amping to the point it's become Solomon Grundy... putrid and swampy and green. Not good. I think I don't get along with plumeria, because everything else sounds magnificant.

Dorian, by far, smells the most strongly like tea on my skin. It's earl grey sweetened with milk and sugar. Though the tea might've actually come out more strongly in Theodosius, now that I think about it.

Moon Rose was, on me, a lot like what you're describing. You may see if you can snag an imp of 2, 5 and 7 from the Mad Tea Party. London might also be a good one to try.

He called his mother, asked her for money to get his car fixed so he can get home, and she is sending it. She asked to speak to me. She was in tears- worried sick that he might hurt himself instead of going home. I promised her I would keep a lookout and let her know if anything happened. She said they were thrilled to have him back, but she knows how much it hurts him. She left her home phone number and her cell phone number. I do plan on calling her and speaking with her about him. If she really wants to help him, I can point her in the right direction. I also want to know if she knows the magnitude of his debt up here, both personal debt and public. She didn't come across as the cold hearted bitch he's been portraying her as, but I'm not convinced he was lying about that, simply because my father can put on a good show when he feels like it. Still, it seems fishy. A lot of it does. This is a bad week to do this. He has a week to get the money from her, and then a week to get his car repaired. Otherwise, we buy him a bus ticket and off he goes. At this point, it's a small price to pay. But next monday is my big midterm in psychology. I get my math work done at school, and I've been really working hard on it. Difference of trinomials was where I got completely lost last quarter, and I have those suckers down pretty well. However, I've been doing really poorly in psychology. And today I think I guiltily realized that I'm a little bored with this particular instructor. I love him to pieces, but it's a format that's been repeated three times now. I'm still planning on taking archaeology in the spring, but I think I'll give the social sciences a break winter quarter. Okay. Feeling better. Compartmentalizing stuff is a useful thing sometimes.

I've been putting off writing about this, but it is another thing that is weighing on me and I need to just write it out. My dad's first wife has advanced cancer- Colon cancer, I believe, though I may be wrong. She might not last the year. I keep hoping that she won't die on Thanksgiving. Or in November at all. Deaths seem to be piling up around November. And... this is awful... but I keep thinking that it's like having a messenger preparing for a trip to see a bunch of people I love and can't communicate with anymore... could you just find Christy and tell her... and Robbie... and Paul... and... most of all, my grandmother. After you die, could you just please find these people for me? Run some errands out and about? Could you tell them that I am happy, finally? It's awful. And I know it's hurting my brother and sister, and I hurt for them, but I keep obsessing over the fact that she could be seeing all these people I love before the year is out. All these people who hoped that I'd be happy. All these people who loved me. I don't want her to die, but I'm trying hard to get to acceptance. I hope she knows her kids love her. I'm going to tell her I love her. I'm not going to ask her to run dead messages around for me. A part of me just wishes I could.

There's something up with my inner ear. I've had an earache all weekend, and my balance is messed up. It's been too long since I wrote in here. So here I am. Knitting has come to a standstill, as I sort of began feeling hopeless with it. It also got pushed way down on my list of priorities. I am going to be baking cookies to include for my switchee. Possibly fudge. So, my husband and I had a long conversation about weight and stress. We need to bite the bullet and just stop. And I can do that if he tells me that's what we're doing. But if he wavers at all, I'll hit a craving and justify it like woah. So, no more snacks. Instead, we will have real meals. And salads. With Newman's Own dressing. I pointed out that when we need time to ourselves, away from the housemate, we always go out to eat. We could easily go walk around Hastings and pick up a game or a few books for what we spend on eating out. We need to reward ourselves in other ways. For me, that's easy- BPAL, Villainess, and other e-tailers that I've grown fond of. Noumenon wrote something in (If I recall correctly) a wanted post recently, and it really sort of hit home for me. She said something to the effect of: I've been here a short while now, and I spent the summer nailing what I wanted in the GC. Now I want to seek out some limited editions. I haven't done that. Even though I tend to enjoy the GC scents more, I am obsessed with LE's. OMGWTFBBQWhatifInevereverseeitagain!!! This could be my One Chance! I still want Pumpkin Queen and Sol Invictus, but I think I need to focus on the catalog for the time being. There's no reason for me not to have bottles of Alice, Sudha Segara, Dorian, Arkham (!), Port-au-Prince, O, and others. Even though I've loved Arkham since Kmasden was nice enough to send me a decant in February, I believe, I didn't order a bottle when it was brought back. I love Alice! I sing her praises constantly! But no bottle. So I'm going to lay off the LE's, and I'm going to treat myself, when I can, to GC bottles. First up: Arkham. I am going to try and participate in NaNoWriMo. I'm worried I'm stretching myself too thin, with school and swaps and knitting and the holidays and everything going on. But I am already writing down the dares I'm pondering adding to my story. It should be entertaining. Take care, loves. I'm out of steam.