Reedsong

Twilight Alchemy Lab's (old blend!) Flame of Desire is almost pure civet; it's delicious and wonderful, like amped-up Debauchery. As a magical oil it's definitely got a "hot AF" vibe.

Homemade/handmade things? So far people have mentioned homemade liqueurs and baked goods, rose beads, birth charts -- what lovely ideas from everyone! I enjoy handmade things a lot and would be thrilled with such gifts this year; this goes especially for non-material items like emails, comments, and information, because I'm planning a move next year. (Also, just in case you have relevant knowledge: my spouse and I are targeting the Seattle area for our next residence, but how do we relocate there without going absolutely broke? Any tips, neighbourhood suggestions, connections, suburban or exurban areas that might have more inexpensive housing, etc., etc...?) Knitting/cloth? Spa cloths for the bathroom, in watery blue shades, would be lovely, as would a scarf. I tend to prefer thinner yarns to bulkier, and I am participating in Hijab30 next Ramadan, so a thin scarf that could be used as a head wrap would be amazing - the purpler the better. Cat Coven? The art is excellent, but I already have a lot of pieces in this style, so no thank you. Green Salmon? Fairy Realms sounds amazing, as does Divinatea if it gets a restock. Samhain treats? I wish I had specific answers, but most of the seasonal treats out there aren't vegan, so I usually don't participate in the foodie revelry. 😕 In general, the treat flavours I love are apple, spicy chocolate, horchata, chocolate-peanut-butter, chocolate-coconut, and caramel. Snag Tights? Amethyst! in size D. UK things? I have two UK weaknesses: the vesica piscis symbol that one finds everywhere in Glastonbury, and Tan y Castell brand anything. Unfortunately, packaged Welsh cakes and bara brith both contain eggs...but maybe you know of some yummy Welsh baking that's also vegan? RedBubble? I've had bad luck with items from RedBubble, unfortunately. 😕 Japan things? Oh my gosh, food from Japan is always welcome, especially instant things like amazake and miso soup and packaged things like mochi and pickles. Tea ceremony supplies (like matcha and sweets) would also be lovely. Also, cooking chopsticks and simple eating chopsticks - particularly those lacking the paint/enamel stuff that flakes off over time - would be great. VirtualCon? Vampire Milk, Recovery Room, and Ghost Lily/White Sandalwood/Ambergris all sound pretty. Moonalisa? Shower gels, soaps, and lip balms all get a lot of use here. Her lavenders and vanillas are particularly wonderful, as are her trees; I tend to avoid her ambers, fruits, and sodas as they go powdery on me. Australia things? A rock or a bit of earth/soil from Australia would be most welcome, as it's a continent I have yet to set foot on. Also, my spouse and I are planning a trip to Gallipoli in March, so if there's anything you want me to bring to the site, please send it along. How do you feel about enamel pins? Please see "Enamel pins!" below... Hair falls? That sounds very cool, as I have never owned or used such a thing! Purple, black, and/or silver as a ponytail would match my existing hair well. Surge Luten? Neat! Yes, I would try any that you could bear to part with. Haus of Gloi? None for me, thank you; their scents haven't gone well on my skin in the past. Enamel pins! Specifically, the Etsy shop with all of the flowers? Yes, please. I normally don't wear enamel pins, but the Gray Muse's creations on Etsy are so gorgeous. I would wear any one of the lilac, jasmine, marigold, or gardenia pins. Future Primitive? Vegan...bath...milk?!?! :faint: Also, the soaps look amazing, especially the Ghost Smoke, Black Honey, North Woods, and Protection. Elderberries? Elder is very special to me; not only would I love elderberry syrup, but I have always wanted to make a futhorc rune set from elder wood and would happily take a fallen branch. Sea Witch Botanicals? Sea Witch is amazing. My favourite incense is Hermitage; I also would love to try the Mabon incense and the Vasheen soap. Hirons Drug Store? A mood ring or mood jewelry, a rice ball mold, fun stickers for my computer, a pen that writes in several different colours, faerie ears or wings, and snacks. Gift certificates to local places? Golden Fig Books in Durham, NC. Alobudra? The Florida waters, the I Am Safe bath, or any stone bracelet except hematite (as we do not get along) - any would be lovely. Traditional Japanese souvenirs? Yes to all; origami paper and wagashi would be welcome, as well. Brujita Skincare? The Vegan Crema and Eternal Balm look gorgeous. ILNP nail polish? Hospital nursing comes with strict nail length guidelines, unfortunately, so I rarely get to use even the lovely polishes I already have. 😕 Tiny Bones? No, thank you. Bird & Blend? The Zodiac Tea Collection cube would be a lot of fun to try! BloomChic? The Halloween Bat Print Crew Neck Sleep Top (and shorts) - cute! It'd be size 10/M. Poesie Tea? No thanks! Trader Joe's? I hear rumour that "pecan pumpkin oatmeal" and "apple cider jam" are things that exist? Both sound delicious. Halloween traditions? When I still lived in New Orleans, each year I attend(ed) a public Day of the Dead Vodou ceremony and also visited my family cemetery. I still do light ancestor candles and perform a small service at home. And on a lighter note, I always watch The Garfield Halloween Special and sing along with his 'pirate' song...🎵 Sixty men all lost at sea, all of them drunk except for me... 🎵 Halloween fandoms? I'm quite fond of The Worst Witch, both the original movie (WITH TIM CURRY hahahaha it is amazing) and the Netflix series. I also crave vampire everything around Halloween time, so it's when I tend to pull out my Vampire Chronicles stuff (though I have yet to see the new Interview series). Thrifted sweater things? I have never had armwarmers before, but I imagine I would like them, if I did! Solid colour, purple, would rather avoid animal-derived fabrics unless they're recycled/vintage/humanely obtained, and buttons are good. Rope work? Not for me, thank you. Cherry things? The plain Montmorency dried cherries would be delightful. Fustini's? ELDERFLOWER BALSAMIC wooooow. Tunisian Harissa olive oil also sounds amazing. American Spoon? The star thistle honey, rhubarb marmalade, honeycrisp apple conserve, or sour cherry jam would be particularly welcome, but I see nothing on this site that I wouldn't happily devour. Yum! Local maple syrup? Yes indeed! Fudge? Aw, if fudge were vegan I would want one of everything from this place - especially as it's on Mackinac Island, home of one of my favourite movies (Somewhere in Time). IKEA Halloween? I like the LED string lights but can only find them listed in orange (whereas the ones I like are the purple ones in the picture). Wild Soul River? I appreciate their statement about their crystal origins and would be happy to have one of their fairy stones. Penzey's? I have been out of saffron for a very long time and would also appreciate their Pacific sea salt. ColourPop? Any of the chrome liquid shadows (especially Glaze, Same Vibe, Supernova, or Beetle), the Lav Dreams highlighter, or the Purple Aura lip gloss - I like iridescence and sparkles to an extreme degree, haha. Cellar Door? The soaps here look so pretty! I'm quite curious about Mackinac Island Lilac and Haunted Woods. Wax melts, candles, etc.? I like unscented candles, incense, and room sprays. Luvmilk? Not from Monster Mash specifically, but would happily try a bubble wash in Demon Wood, Radiant Kitten, or Sleepy. Dyed yarn? I don't have crafting skills - unfortunately, because I do treasure hand-dyed things. Maybe you would send a string, or a simple braided strand, that I could use as a deity offering? If you already have woodland-type colours dyed and could spare a bit, that is! Homemade tallow soap? Not for me, thank you. Homemade caramels or shortbread? Definitely! Chocolate? I have always favoured milk or white chocolate, with as much 'stuff' in it as possible; I loved Cadbury's fruit-and-nut bars, for example. It's hard to find vegan variations on those themes, though, so I just have the occasional dark chocolate-chili (another favourite) bar these days. Mixed media art? Cool! I would enjoy this. Music? I still own and play CDs in my car, haha! Otherwise, I just make YouTube playlists (username primordialmuse), and yes, I like music recommendations. (I also make playlists to accompany the stories I write, so if you're a fanfic person and want to recommend some fandom/music pairings to me, please do!) Hand-knit socks? I'd love that. Allll of the purple. Spooky season imagery? Barn owls and vampires forever. I also like fire images (e.g., crackling fireplaces, torches, candle flames, etc.) and 'cold nature' sort of imagery, like skeletal birch forests and grey overcast skies. Astrid? I wish her scents worked on me. 😕 Homemade and preserved foods? Honestly, every single thing you described sounds amazing. I do prefer to avoid sugar-free variations and just go full-on sugar in my treats; I'd particularly enjoy the chile peppers, vegan fudge (especially if forest fruit could go in there), and freshly-dried herbs individually. Witch hat? I would rather this go to someone who would use it this year; I'm working around Halloween and rarely go out, so it'd just sit on my shelf, and that'd be a sad waste. 😕 Friday Tea? No, thank you. Dr. Jen's Beauty Lab? The Formulator's Choice unscented serum looks amazing, as does the Coconut Everything body wash. Teresa Lynn's? A Sleep sniffie would be helpful. Homemade soap and/or candles? I would welcome a TAL-and-herb candle. Herbs? An incense-bundle of mugwort would be fantastic. Salves? Your go-to salve sounds both lovely and useful! Paintbox Soapworks? Not for me, thanks. Furry friend? My little Syl loves catnip, soft pounceable toys with no bells or feathers (Dharma Dog Karma Cat is a brand we buy a lot!), and treats, especially Temptations Purrrrée and Greenies. Seasonal mugs? Too many in my house already, unfortunately. Wishlists? I only have the one, at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/27WIKYGMELM09/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1), and yes, it's up-to-date. Anything I use every day? Bindis! In fact, I've run out of plain half-moon bindis. Rishi Tea? I would love to try teasers of Greek Mountain, Butterfly Pea Flower, Hibiscus Elderberry, and/or Red Shiso teas. Things I wish I'd added to the questionnaire? I should have requested good knee-high compression socks for work. All of the pairs I have are coarse, thin, and not-very-good. NAlloween? Masquerade Ra, Nefer, and Amar all seem gorgeous. And Zodiac: Scorpio of course!! Weenie update? Two new perfumes appeal to me: Things Are Fine and A Melancholy of Goths. I am a perennial fan of Sugar Skull, as well. Stickers? I plaster my computer with them, so I'd like to have more, especially very little ones! I avoid American flags and patriotic stuff, phrases appropriated from AAVE (like "Yas Queen!"), and motivational slogans that either push me (like "keep moving" or "hard work + determination" - I already work too hard!) or that are over-the-top positive (like "SMILE!!!" or "live life happy"). Crystals, cool rocks, and gemstones? ROCKS FRIENDS, as Ludo would say. Send alllllll the rocks my way! Squishmallows? I am torn. On the one hand, they are adorable, and I've wanted one forever. On the other hand, there really are a metric TON of stuffed animals here. But they have Pusheen! And a beet! Lapel pin, enamel and chain? What a pretty idea! Yes, I would wear this. The moon-and-star pin from that same Etsy seller is lovely, actually. The Pickety Witch? The Mabon Owl pin is perfection. Paper crane mobile? That sounds beautiful, but I'm pretty sure my cat would stop at nothing to catch and tear up the colourful toy. Old House Gardens? No ability to have a garden here, I'm afraid. Hopefully that'll change after moving next year! Sock arms? Gorgeous. Would love blues, purples, black. Washi tape? I think it's so pretty and would definitely use it. Gluten-free biscotti? Sounds delicious. Music mix? I love CD music mixes. Industrial, Goth, electronica - would you believe I've never heard some of the iconic music like The Cure and My Chemical Romance? Bserway? GOD OF RESTLESS MINDS, amazing. The Crone's Seer and Blessings from the Erdtree are also beautiful. Ren Fest? Garlic is always welcome here. Hmm...I've always wanted a bit of chainmaille jewellery, maybe a necklace or bracelet? I haven't been to a Ren Fest in over a decade, so I'm not sure what to request! Lakewood Wax? Not for me, thank you. Revisiting the "wish I'd mentioned this the first time" question: TW for (not currently active) Eating Disorder! Also, October 20th will be my six-year wedding anniversary! Yay! Tarot and Oracle Decks? Used versus new makes no difference to me. Studio Ghibli? The only SG film I've ever seen is Princess Mononoke (which I did enjoy), so before having art, I should probably see more movies! LUSH? Lord of Misrule soap sounds delicious. Hand-knitted socks? Would be excellent. Haus of Gloi? None for me, thanks. Mütter Museum? Oh, cool! I would use the heck out of a syringe pen and brain sticky notes. I'm definitely curious about the Ü scent, too, but have never tried it and felt wary of buying a blind bottle. Mother Oak acorns? I would treasure these! Lenny Mud? Not for me, thanks. Tea preferences? Green, white, or herbal, with any additives being actual ingredients (e.g., lemon peel rather than 'lemon flavoring'). Green and hojicha teas are my favourite. And yes, I enjoy rooibos, especially since it puts me right to sleep. Torrid? No thanks - the 'things I like' and the 'sizes that are available' don't seem to match up, unfortunately. Nail wraps? I actually don't know anything about nail wraps; are they difficult to apply or deal with? If they're pretty easy, then yes, I would be interested. The Atmo and Aurora Borealis wraps are my favourite on that page, and the Fulcrum and Amethyst patterns are also beautiful. Colouring? I like colouring in principle, but in practice I never actually do it. 😕 Winter holiday things? Spouse and I both adore winter. We like to decorate our tiny porch with blue lights and an iridescent snow globe sort of light, and we try to add something wintry and luminous each year; we've been wanting icicle lights for a long time, for example. Mulling spices and all things mulled are also eagerly awaited. Another (weird) holiday tradition I have is eyeing Snow White every time it's released on the BPAL site, not buying it because Need to Buy Xmas Gifts for Everyone, and then pitying myself for not having Snow White. Oh, and if you find juniper syrup anywhere, please send it our way; this household is STILL MAD that Starbucks discontinued the juniper latte. Halloween Dreams playing cards? No thank you! There are several decks of playing cards here already, and they almost never get used. Peppers? Always! Peppers are friends. Dream Skin? I missed this time-sensitive question, which is a shame as the fragrance sounds astonishing, and I would have loved to try it. Part II of Halloween drop? I admit that Snooty Bat sounds very much worth trying...

So, I get the rose, blackcurrant, and butter-crust thing. But at work, we cleanse patients' skin with wet wipes of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate. And after the rose/currant/crust dies down, what's left on my own skin is CHG-wipe smell. No indeed. Hard pass from me!

Rose petals, frangipani, gardenia, jasmine sambac, white cognac, and lemon peel. This is a lovely, blooming scent that unfolds little by little on my skin. It's neither a naive, sunny sort of floral, nor a restrained soapy bouquet; rather, it seems to capture a kind of quiet delight, a natural and easy pleasure. It's very well-blended, too, with no one flower seeming to dominate its discourse. A very apt scent for its inspiration, and while it isn't quite right when I wear it, I can imagine other flower-lovers adoring this one!

This is a graceful, delicate whisper of jasmine that stays close to the skin. I'm impressed that these three notes harmonize so prettily together, and especially pleased to find a jasmine fragrance that doesn't scream of cloying soap after I apply it. I'm not sure whether to spring for a bottle of this one, but definitely feel fortunate to have my imp and might try to swap for a little more.

I have been a BPALer for many years. I adore Snake Oil and get excited by every new version - and this is one of the best variants I have ever tried. WOW. I agree with marared that it's a less aggressive Boomslang. It's soft and seductive, having all the mouth-watering richness of a fine dessert without actually being foody per se. Better yet, it grew spicy as it dried down on me, and I could have sworn I detected a hint of cinnamon although that note is nowhere to be found in the description. It lasts nicely without being overpowering, and I bet it's going to age brilliantly, too. This one is a bottle purchase for sure.

I agree with DiesMali that this is an intimate, sensual scent. It's beautifully blended, rich, and no one note predominates when I first smell it. Unfortunately, my skin chemistry changed a few years back, such that I could no longer wear red musk scents, and this one's no exception - it stayed assertive and sexy on my skin for about five minutes and then faded to a perfumey talcum powder. If you can wear red musk better than I can, then get some of this! It's luscious, and I have the impression that it'll age wickedly well, too.

Having just finished a final exam in which the heart's function featured prominently, I was delighted to see this series and had to get the fragrance for my favourite heart-part. I didn't expect much of it - most lemon and champagne scents fade to Lemonheads on me, and I really just wanted to try this one for the name - but I was very pleasantly surprised! This fragrance could be an elegant springtime cocktail, and it's light and effervescent, bubbling over with a sweetly celebratory feeling - like standing in warm sunshine while hearing good news. I've been super-stressed lately and feel like this perfume will help me cheer up a bit. If you get Lysol or candy from these notes in other scents, then you might want to give Sinoatrial Node a try!

Entertaining the Heian Court Maiden has a very elegant perfumey quality on me.

There's root beer, there's birch beer...if someone made a forest beer, it would smell like Theoi Nomioi. I agree with every reviewer who's praised how stunningly lovely this fragrance is! It's warm and inviting, wonderfully balanced, and I'd suggest it for anyone who loves tree scents but has found other BPAL blends to be either too sweet or too sharp.

UPDATED 09/16/2016 Anything here: http://paintboxsoapworks.com/look like something you'd like to try (assuming that you're not already ordering it)? Oh, gosh, the last thing I need is another site addiction! Do you like stuff related to Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)? I have concerns about appropriation; my Day of the Dead comes from a different tradition and doesn't involve sugar skulls and such. How about handknitted things? Especially fall themed things! Anything specific, ie socks, mitts, hats, home decor like pumpkin coasters or wall hangings? It almost never gets cold enough here to warrant hand-knitted anything, and I live in a furnished apartment that already has a lot of decor! Are there any fandoms or specific collectible genres you would appreciate things of/for (ex: you collect shot glasses, or the ninth Doctor is your bae)? My boyfriend and I are both huge fans of the anime Revolutionary Girl Utena and actually met through an Utena fan forum. Fandom merch for that series is rather hard to find, but since roses are important symbols in the show, I always appreciate receiving rosy things! Do you have a favorite Fall/Halloween symbol? No, I like most all of it except for the green-skinned warty witches; I practiced Wicca for several years and always found those images a depressing reminder of the need to hide my religion and the general disrespect afforded it. First, talk to me about soaps- do you like them, and what kinds of scents/lather/varieties do you like? I'm sensitive to shea butter - not a true allergy, but I like soaps without shea and especially like fair-trade coconut or palm oil as a soap base. Spicy and incensey scents are great, as are soothing/comforting ones like lavender and oats/honey. Second, tell me about teas! Favorites? Anything you'd like to try? I've been looking a long time for a good, spicy, non-sugared, non-caffeinated chai; most of the commercial chai out there is either flavoured sugar-liquid or black teas with flavoring added. Teavana's Ayurvedic chai is a nice example of the sort of herbal stuff I crave! Lastly, I go to Renn Faire- is there anything from there you might like? I’ve only been to a Renn Faire once, decades ago, but I do have a (12th-century) Norman noblewoman's dress and would love to have period-appropriate accessories or veiling to wear with the gown. What Weenie of years past are you seeking from the lab? SpoooOooOOOOooooookyyyyy! I heart Spooky so much. I should have ordered a crate of the hair gloss. Are you a shawl wearer- and if you don't wear one now, would you? I'm not, and I wouldn't; shawls tend to slip off of my shoulders and become irritating very quickly. Tell me about LUSH- do you like them? If so, what are some of your favorite things from there? Particularly fond scents or products? Stuff you can't stand? I like LUSH okay, but find the shop smell overwhelming and so haven't used their stuff in a long time. I remember really liking their face scrubs, particularly Angels on Bare Skin and Aqua Marina. I've always wanted to try their Phoenix bath bomb, and I dislike their products with glitter because of the tub-scrubbing required! So, in this swap, you open a goodie every day. I have seen this gift direction done several different ways, but I am interested in which you are most keen to do. Would you rather: A. have strict direction as to which gift is to be opened on which day (aka the number system)? B.have a few gifts that are meant to be opened on specific days (ex: *this* one is for Halloween night only), but the rest be your choice? C. have a free-for-all, grab bag-style box of goodies, where you are the sole arbiter of your goodie grabbing destiny(everything is wrapped but you pick the gift you want to open each day)? D. be surprised? I'll be happy with any way you choose to do it, but prefer A so that I don't have to make decisions! Stuff from Japan? Yesssssss. Pumpkin Spice or No Pumpkin Spice? No Pumpkin Spice. I'm really picky about pumpkin spice scents and flavours because many of them smell fake or cloying to me. Milk, white, and/or dark chocolate? Milk and dark are both great. Do you like Yankee Candle? Anything you want from there? Noooo, no Yankee Candle, please! Trading Post Goodies? Always appreciated. I was going to try Ignis massage oil, and it went out of stock between the few days of choosing from the website's selection and returning to the website to order it! Bath and Body Works? No, another store I don't much like. Tell me of your Sock Dreams, please! I don't dream about socks so much as really need them! I have boat feet (size 11) and run daily, so I wear through socks pretty quickly. I'd like to make some baked goods, would you like some? And if you have any food allergies, what can I use as a substitute? Awww, baked goods are always appreciated. I'm not gluten-sensitive or celiac or anything, but usually feel more comfortable and happy eating a treat if there's no wheat in it. And any substitute at all for wheat flour is great; I've never met a flour I didn't like. Anything special you want from the Target dollar spot? Nothing I’m aware of. I live in The Netherlands. If there's anything in particular that you'd like to get from here, now's the time to tell! I've never been to the Netherlands and really enjoy tasting snacky things from new places! I'm sort of collecting Lush showergels. Regular collection, but also many Kitchen items. Are there any showergels you'd like to try? I'd be happy to make you samples! I would love to try Grass and Glogg, and especially Flying Fox. What is your stance on Glitter? I like things that sparkle and shine, but prefer for my glitter to be stable and not shed everywhere! (The exception to that is glittery makeup, which I adore and own almost none of.) Also, if you have a Goodreads or other online reading log, does it include a wishlist? I have none, I'm afraid! The only books I can think of that I'm really pining for, right now, are David Frawley's books The Art and Science of Vedic Counseling and Vedic Yoga: The Path of the Rishi, as well as books three and four of David Hair's Moontide Quartet, which my library doesn't carry and which I am aching to read! Also, this is a weird one, but I can't know unless I ask, right?: My bf has Asperger syndrome and recognizes many signs of the same in me. I think it would be great for us both if I read more about it, so if you happen to have any knowledge at all of the subject, I'd love a good book about it! Witch In/Out Sign Not for me! How about art? (Small/mailing safe sizes, course) Art is lovely. Tea lovers, what do you like from Whittard? I'm not familiar with them at all. How much are you wedded to wishlists; say I have some read once books which I think you might like based on what you've read in the past, but there is nothing of the sort on your current Goodreads "to read" list? I like it when people recommend new books to me and especially if they share stories they themselves enjoy! How do you feel about reading series out of order? Obviously not in situations where the subsequent books are part of the same story arc where you will be totally lost and frustrated if you haven't read all of them, but say, standalone stories which are technically part of a series and which might obliquely reference past books, but not in such as way as to spoil the plot of the book which I happen to have in my possession that you might like. I'm okay with that. Would you be interested in a Halloween-themed short story anthology? That would be neat! I like short story anthologies because life is pretty busy lately, and it helps to be able to read briefly and then put a book down without feeling anxious about what happens next in a longer story. Is there a limit to the number of books you'd like to receive? Not at all. Have you read Movies in 15 Minutes by our very own Cleolinda? Would you like to? I adore the M15m LJ reviews and would definitely enjoy reading the book! What kind of phone do you have? I need to know.... An iPhone 5S. Have you seen the horror film The Babadook? If so, did you like it? Would you want something Babadook-themed? I haven't seen it, no! Those who are amenable to yarnie things--ok, two questions: Any undesirable fibers (wool allergy, vegan so no critter hair at all, etc.)? and how do you feel about cowls/infinity scarves? I dislike both infinity scarves and cowls, alas! But while I do like delicate-looking, thin yarnie things, New Orleans is subtropical and hardly ever gets cold enough for even light yarn things to be worn. :/ So who likes incense? and is there a preferred scent? and cones or sticks? Would you like a burner for it? I adore incense, but am very picky about it because perfume-y, artificial stuff gives both me and my bf sore throats. Stick incenses that work well for me include Shanthimalai's Red Nag Champa, all Fred Soll scents except Lemongrass and Sweetgrass (with my fave being Honey Amber), most scents by Shroff Channabasappa (especially Pearl, Sandal, and Jungle Prince), and Pure Incense's Parijata. In general I love mystical-smelling, meditative incenses with resin, tree, or wood notes. Motherhood update: So many of the scents sound amazing! The ones I'd particularly like to try are Lilith and the Four Sons of Horus, Heavenly Spark, My Little Grotesque, The Library of John Dee, Waiting, The Serpentine, Goofin' at Stonehenge, and Lilith's hair gloss.

More men should wear cake, I feel... And I definitely agree with the recommendation of Fenris Wolf. (That scent is lovely on men and women both, I guess because the Ragnarök‎ is for everyone. )

non_boingy, from your post, it sounds like we have a great deal in common! As I was reading your self-description, two ideas came to mind - not sparked by any one trait in particular, but as general impressions. The first is Abhisarika from the 2007 Faces of the Heroine (Lupercalia) update. The description of "radiant with youthful innocence" is what brought it to mind, I think, as there is a sense of joy from your post that seems to match this scent, which is unique and delicately feminine (without conveying any stereotype like 'weak' or helpless'). The second is Hanerot Halalu from the 2008 Yule update. There is an archetypal feeling to this one, a sense of sanctity that transcends religion or culture, like the essence burning at the heart of the flame. Perhaps this would appeal to you because of your discovery of truth in many languages, traditions, and places. Also, spiralmissy, yours was the first post I saw on this page, so I assumed it was the most recent one and read through it before seeing that you'd already been answered. The impression I had immediately from you was Khandita from the same Faces of the Heroine update. The scent conveyed - to me, when I wore it - a sense of passionate strength and smoldering, righteous opposition. I see now, looking at the notes, that it's also heavy on the saffron... All of these recommendations are LEs, but the two Heroines are currently available on the Lab's Etsy site, and Hanerot is usually not too hard to find.

I totally agree with Dorian as a Draco scent conceptually - unfortunately it's a complete disaster on me, but yesterday I did try Theodosius again (after several years of not wearing him :x) & when I was looking at the reviews they all said how much like Dorian it is, but it's a) a much better scent on me and something adult Draco would also wear, I think. Similarly refined, but also subtly nasty That's an excellent choice, given that Dorian doesn't work on you; for me, it's just the opposite, with those scents! Jareth might also be a nice option, having a similar "feel" to the other two. I have an entire BPAL list for the characters of Robin of Sherwood... Oh my god I would so love to know what is on your list if you felt like sharing, that show is the most amazing thing *_* My apologies that it took me a few days to reply; I keep a blog about the show and decided to just make a few posts about it, because what's more fun than combining TWO fandoms into one?! The first list has scents for the good guys, and is here: http://candledance.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/ros-and-bpal-part-1/ And the second list is for the villains, offered here: http://candledance.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/rosbpal-scents-the-villains/ (Edited to add the second post.)

Hahahaha...I love this thread! I am so glad I'm not the only one who does this; I have an entire BPAL list for the characters of Robin of Sherwood. And I couldn't agree more with the recommendation of Dorian for adult Draco. It was actually the first scent that came to my thoughts, before I even read the response naming it.

Stellamaris, THANK YOU! I came back to the thread to say that, and to include an update as I thought it'd be kind of neat. I needed more incentive to buy the Ambergris SN - shipping to Canada, ach! - so I added a bottle of Heroine onto the order, and just got the package today. At first the rhubarb is quite strong on my skin, and sour-green in that rather unique and unmistakeable way of garden-fresh rhubarb stalks. But then it mellows out beautifully to something softly glowing, a scent that seems to rest somewhere between Smut and The Living Flame. It's very close to my skin, comforting in that 'hugs and pie' sort of way that I associate with TAL Anthelion. In short, it's the scent version of a person who seems bristly and bitter at first, but gradually reveals nobility, warmth, and compassion over time. Like an embrace covered in bristles, lol! I consider it a high compliment to have had something so lovely recommended for me, and thank you again for suggesting a scent I would otherwise never have tried - especially as its proceeds go to a good cause besides.

Stellamaris, thank you - it's not easy to find an imp of that one, but given the cause, the notes, and now the recommendation, it may be worth springing for a bottle of this one at my next payday. For you - Nemesis or Verdandi came to mind.

Ellie, my first thought for you was Black Opal - night and glittering colour, and the opal's numerous associations with misfortune would speak to your darker side, I think. It's an unusual and unique fragrance and not one that many cite as a favourite, but hard to forget once you've tried it. It seems apt. You sound like someone I'd like to know. === I'd like to play too; this is an interesting thread, so hopefully I don't make it too dull by contributing. So here's my "personality" and a request for recommendations: === Well, my first inclination is to write that I don't have a personality, but I suppose that would elicit a recommendation to splash myself from a bottle of water and have done with it. So, here goes: Publicly, I'm snarky, brainy, and drier than wind, though careful to avoid cruelty in my snark. I've been told that I'm intimidating, "terrifyingly persuasive," and that I should maybe "dumb it down a bit" if I want to make more friends. I'm known for going on ridiculous rants of escalating hilarity about things that annoy me (which prompts others to deliberately discuss subjects that get on my nerves, just to watch and giggle at the flail). I enjoy subtle elegance, deep private time with friends instead of large gatherings, and shocking remarks inserted at random into conversations. I work as a medical transcriptionist, because it allows me to labour in solitude with neither supervision nor responsibility. Privately, I'm convinced that I'm awkward, ridiculous, and utterly unlikeable. I'm actually of a rather religious bent. I love to read and write, thrill to poetry, would learn every language ever spoken if it were possible, and at a party - like anyone invites me to parties, ha! - you'll find me hiding among the potted plants and the household pets, and/or listening to someone else's problems over canapés. I don't speak much of my affections, just quietly see to it that the people I love are well-stocked with groceries, cooking, and amusement, and that they always have an ear and maybe an unexpected gift when times are hard. Even my cats know who the sucker is, and they use me as a bed, transport service, and tuna-provider at every opportunity. (And if anyone notices these things, I admonish them to stay quiet about it - lest my reputation be ruined, and I be forced to be an unbearable @$$hole to everyone for months on end in order to recover.) People/characters that I've been compared to include Sylvia Plath, Daria, and the Sheriff of Nottingham from Robin of Sherwood. And I was flattered by all three.

Unnecessary TMI introduction: I just wrote a story that quoted this verse at the beginning, so BPAL had my money the moment this scent went live. It's about a half-and-half mixture of "yum" and "blech" in terms of notes, so let's see how this goes. In the bottle: Is it possible to pickle resin? This smells like what I would get if I burned incense in the kitchen while eating a plate full of pickles, which sounds awful but is oddly charming. I like pickles! I like incense! Time to try it on! On my skin: Oh, hey, it's that much-missed brown leather note! It's the same raw leather from Loviatar, the one that smells like chewed-up cowboy boots. Alas, there are no pickles. But there is leather....and spice...and resin... Five minutes later, nose glued to hand: The leather is combining with the spices and the resin, and now there's a delicious dry clove. Wow, this is smooth... Ten minutes later, nose still glued to hand: Dammit, fragrance! I have to work! I need to get things done! I cannot keep huffing my hand! But this is rich, opulent yet subtle, and there's...yes, there it is, some debauchery in there. Everything that everyone else wrote, about dangerous appeal and darkness, is absolutely true. Fifteen minutes later: Attention, world: I will marry the person who smells like this, and we will never leave the bedroom. Half-hour later: It's fading fast! Nooooo! It's BPAL doom: the perfect LE fragrance without staying power! Why did I not buy eighty thousand bottles of this whyyyyyy?!?!?! tl;dr review: A dry, smoky clove with hints of sweet resin, comfortable leather, and musky sexy win. It's an intimate skin scent with almost no throw, and I think it would work for a wearer of any gender or sexual identity, provided one is prepared to wear it with a certain smoldering refinement. In fact, it's so magnificent that I was tempted to write a scathing review of it, so that I could buy it all up after convincing everyone else it sucked. In His Hands All Thy Cruelties Thrive is perfect for the verse, my favourite of the Lady of Pain update, and probably the best new BPAL I've tried in years.

The Sleeper is hands-down the best oakmoss ever.

When I first tried Tum years ago, it was a wild panoply of spice, resin, and fruit scents, which mirrored well the painterly setting sun in the western sky. Unfortunately, this one alone of the Stations has not aged well. All of the kaleidoscopic nuances that made Tum so intriguing have faded, and what's left is only a concord grape syrup with a few dribbles of spice, maybe cinnamon and nutmeg, with a tiny touch of the carnation that seems to be a unifying note in these scents. It doesn't work for me at all anymore, which is really disappointing. (Fans of Tum who are lamenting its loss might do well to try Horreur Sympathique, which has similar notes of spice and grape.)

To me, Ahathoor is the quintessential example of why some BPALs don't have official descriptions. From this one, I get benzoin, amber, sassafras, possibly nutmeg, fresh ginger juice, a little of Ra's carnation, and lime. If I'd read a list of notes like that, I'd have promptly passed on the fragrance. And that would have been a shame, because Ahathoor is a bright, brilliant, energetic scent very well suited to the mid-day Sun. It goes a touch sweet on my skin and also fades more quickly than I'd prefer, but while it's not my favourite of the Stations, it's still a lovely offering.

ACK IT'S ON ME GET IT OOOOOOFF is my initial reaction to applying this oil. It actually chill-burns my skin a bit, and the first whiff of it is just awful, like a high shrill scream for my sinuses. The eucalyptus is a high, lemony-sour note that makes my nose wrinkle, and it's insanely strong. I get a small amount of mint and maybe pine in the background. As the EEK EUCALYPTUS dries down, a milder, innocuous herbal-floral note starts to emerge with that same almost-citrusy character. What is that? Lemon balm? Rose geranium? It's something lighly sweet and innocuous that reminds me of my mother - which is funny, as my mom hates lightning storms - and while I don't actually like any permutation of this scent, I keep sniffing my wrist to see what it's doing now. I would have believed that this was a TAL blend to overcome astraphobia, actually. Wet, the oil seems to imitate cold fear; as it dries, the sharp top notes vanish and leave only a kindly warmth behind. It seems to have a medicinal, not-for-smelling-but-for-using kind of energy that fits TAL better than BPAL. I can't imagine anyone actually wearing Astraphobia as perfume, but it's interesting - olfactory art, certainly, and worth trying for the experience alone.

If you can get it, the LE Chintamani-Dhupa is a beautiful, strong incense-y fragrance. From the GC, there's nothing like Paramatman - orange blossom, champaca, and honey blend to produce a gorgeous floral scent that reminds me of ladies' hair garlands.

I skipped this one because I read the notes for it at the time, thought, "Huh, black musk death, champaca death," etc. Then I started noticing that people were salivating for it and that bottles would disappear in a heartbeat. So I got a decant just to see what you people were fussing about. Reviewers above have summarized this scent very well: I definitely get an Eastern incense, head-shop kind of vibe from it, and it's slinky, sexy, and very..well...panthery. I've never been near a panther or even seen one except in pictures, but this seems to match exactly what I expected scent-wise, and it's so well blended that one or two death notes don't ruin the overall effect. I also love the way the oil looks: deep golden-brown, thick, like a precious attar. Eta: I'm also really glad I picked up the imp to admire it again for this review, because the imp was leaking! So, writing this saved me from losing the entire thing, and there's my instant karma for the day.