VetchVesper

Huzzah! I am back! Mostly. Sans some blood after my yearly physical. Have been too busy to do regular exercise, but I did manage to get a few hours of gardening in this last few days. I will update this evening.

So glad to see folks popping back on here! Yay for all of y'all! Keep it up! Keep it up! Thursday, I gardened for an hour and a half and, after a nice, long shower, did a half hour of yoga while wearing Dragon Snack HG. I agree with @Madame Mewthat patchouli is lovely for yoga. Friday has been a doozy of a day with little time for working out and lots of time for family emergency. ? Thoughts, prayers, and well wishes appreciated. I'll probably be out of commission a couple of days.

@Amazonia I'm so sorry to hear you had to go to the ER! Glad it's not Covid, but I hope you get a better idea of what's going on with your husband and he starts to feel better. Grand plans for gardening today, and working out too. Mustering myself for the effort. My Frosted Pumpkin Spice Cookie was still stinking good this morning, but I added some of Sixteen92's Mercy Lewis to the mix, and I'm enjoying the blend. Not sure what it will do with sun and sweat, but we'll see.

I AM THE PUMPKIN QUEEN! At least when I work out. That's what I wore. Half an hour of walking. Half and hour of gardening. After a shower, I did half an hour of yoga before bed, this time wearing Frosted Pumpkin-Spice Cookie which is deeelish. I'm officially in Halloween mode. @Madame Mew Looked that up and wow-wee! Let us know when you get there!

I'm not much for baked good scents, but this is darn delectable. With "pumpkin spice" in the title, I was expecting the spices to knock my socks off, but they behave themselves. Pumpkin spice is definitely present, but it's not amping through the roof like it usually does on me. I suspect there's enough nutmeg to restrain the cinnamon. I smell brown sugar and yes -butter, a note I actually do get along with. Cream cheese isn't a note I've ever been interested in, but perhaps I was wrong. There is also a powdery sugar note that really does smell uncannily like the white sugar frosting drizzled on baked goods. It's pretty amazing. I would eat me. After it dries down, the spices do calm down, but they are still present, like a sugar-spice dusting over the the top. The rich butteriness stays around and something almost comes off as juicy, baked raisins to me. It must be some trick the cream cheese is playing on my nose. Happy to fall for it. I was frottled this. Otherwise, it would have never been on my radar. Ok labrats. Ya got me. I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on all those baked goodies you come out with.

For me, this was all about the tart blackberry. There's a hint of sweet, red patch in the background, grounding things, but I would have actually preferred this to smell a bit earthier. There isn't a dirt note, but the dead leaves smell dry and crackly, like a forest floor. It comes out sharp and strong, but quickly softens. No green cologne note in this Dead Leaves. This is nice, but it's not really me. Folks who like the idea of a dry, tart blackberry might want to check this one out. The fruit is present, but I wouldn't call this "fruity," and it does feel very fall.

I have been naughty and neglecting my posts. I took off Friday and Saturday, but Sunday I walked for half an hour wearing "A Kneeling Child Watching a Ghost Devil and Puppet Making Mayhem in a Room," which, by a happy accident, I learned smells divine when mixed with Aperatos Eros. I've been on a black licorice kick, and A Kneeling Child... is tasty, but something about the feral musk and incense in Aperatos just sends everything through the roof. Today I used the last of my aged imp of Elegba while I walked another half hour, and did an hour of gardening. It smelled quite delectable and, possibly because of aging, was even heavier on the rum and more of a brown sugar syrup than the blast of rum coconut I remember. @Amazonia Storm would be amazing. I was officially hooked by the X-men cartoon as a kid, and it's always been my favorite of the mainstream comics, even if it's not always the best. I too, love the Batman, though he seems like he'd be a real pain in the ass to be married to. Also, Iron Man might be better in the sack. But who am I really to turn down hot, billionaire, super hero playboys for husbands? ? Meh. What the hell, I'll take them both. P.S. I do need to step it up tomorrow, but I'm glad I am at least getting some exercise rather than being a lump. So yay to improvement, even if it's small!

This morning, my lovely felines decided to wake me up at the ass crack of dawn, and by gum, it was chilly outside! All you northerners probably think that's normal for October, but for Houston, it was quite a shock. Anywho, I walked for 20 minutes, wearing Destroying Angel in honor of the mushrooms that have been popping up around the neighborhood. I was half-inspired to write a tanka about them; I'll post it, if I find the other half. After the walk, I gardened for half an hour. I'm quite fond of Destroying Angel. It's one of the few mushrooms scents that doesn't turn to baby powder on me, and it's quite lovely. it smelled sweeter and cleaner than normal, with the earth note made milder by the cold. This evening, I did 20 mins of bedtime yoga with Ariadne while wearing Sixteen92's Chloroform. It's sweet and snowy, and lacks any lavender, so we'll see if it lives up to its name. @Supertrooper Omni and @Kelthara, lovely to have you! And thank you for joining in. Kudos for getting back on the yoga wagon, Kelthara! @AmazoniaMore Marvel than DC, aye? ? Have you ever cosplayed her? Also, we gotta talk more about perfume. I think our noses are related.

Since I took a day off yesterday and was MIA on the thread, I wanted to make sure I got my exercise knocked out this morning. Instead of sitting on my duff eating breakfast and watching half an hour of tv, I walked 30 mins and did 30 mins of yoga. So thanks for the accountability guys! Also, because I'm thoroughly impressed by all y'all's initiative, I'm gonna stop being a weenie and up my workout goal to 5 days a week. I can do this! Machu-Pichu was my perfume pick today. It's not normally a fragrance I wear, but I thought the steamy, fruity, clean vibe might be nice for the warm, beautiful weather, and its low sillage (on me, anyway) might be nice for yoga. I was right! Cheery and sweet without being sickening. It doesn't stay on my skin very long, but after my walk, I replied to my shirt for yoga, and it worked really well. @Amazonia Nothing wrong with a lady being a gentleman now and then. What an awesomely nice thing to do for your neighbors. And with a PUSH MOWER?! Forget manly-man. I think you're Wonder Woman. Also -- I LOVE Klaus!!! But no... I don't think dick throwing is one of his super powers on the tv show. Maybe the uncut version?? And now you're hanging upside down? Not Wonder Woman. BATWOMAN! ? Seriously though, your workout routines sound amazing. Keep firming those thighs! And thank you for the inspiration. @Madame Mew I looked up that rose and what a beautiful, delicate shade of pink! And those clusters are gorgeous! I have a Peggy Martin rose that makes clusters like that, though the flowers are not much bigger than a quarter. It too gets the dreaded BLAAAACK SPOOOOT. If you ever find a tried and true trick to killing it dead, let me know. I usually end up just whacking everything back and letting it grow out new. It's just so gratifying though when roses do put on a good show, we have to deal with their demanding and fickle ways. ? Thank you for the yoga recommendations. Those are some great ideas. And yeah. I think I have the over extension thing too. "What? It's not supposed to bend that way? *bends it that way* Hey, why do my joints hurt?" @Lucchesa I'm loving that this is turning into a dog fitness routine too. Happy and healthier puppers. And good job squeezing in your goal today when things were hectic. @Seajewel Happy to have you on the thread! Believe me, I am no guru of fitness, and getting my neck and back in better shape after injury is actually one of my main goals. Rehabilitating your shoulder totally counts for this. Is it for your body? Is it physical? Will it make you feel better? This is about you vs. you, not you vs. anyone else. If you walked a mile you wouldn't normally have walked, that's already an improvement. Pat yourself on the back! @a_bear Woohoo! Sculpt that puddle! I checked out Yoga with Adriene today. I'd actually saved a video of hers for neck stretches, so I did that and checked out a longer one for hamstrings and lower back. Great recommendation! I really like her focus on form and body awareness. Thank you. P.S. @Madame Mew I think watching the debates should count as an exercise in PATIENCE!

This starts out as a woody patchouli with just the faintest tinge of funk. It's pleasant enough, but a bit simple for my tastes. As it warms up though, I get hints of the carrot seed, which add an interesting powdery sweetness that softens the patchouli and really does give it a wistful tone. If I'm getting any aspects from the tea, it's a bit of spiciness, but I wouldn't guess that it's in here. This has sort of a suede texture, brown and dry and soft. Surprisingly, it fades to a skin scent quickly, making it's presence known just long enough to know if it's abhorred or not, before slinking off. I for one, wouldn't mind it sticking around a bit longer.

Oooo! Thank you! I will check them out and report back. And welcome to the CHALLENGE!!! Happy to have you. Getting outside is a great goal, and I too am a hater of the heat and humidity. I swear I'd be ten pounds lighter if our weather was ten degrees cooler.

Today feels like it's officially autumn! The morning started cool and overcast, with a chilly breeze. ? I'm LOVIN' it. ? I tested out Solitary and Abhorred, which I believe I was frimped by @Lucchesa, a thoughtful gesture since I've been wanting to explore carrot seed. The fragrance started out a bit like Coiled Serpent, with a good bit of warm, slightly funky patchouli, but the carrot seed crept in after a few minutes adding a soft, wistful sweetness that was perfect for the gloominess of the day. I really enjoyed this one as something warm and grounding, though surprisingly, it lightened to a skin scent before the end of my 30 minute walk. For folks who fear offending their fellows in yoga class, the low throw might be appreciated though. 30 minutes of brisk walking; 30 minutes of yoga stretches! I'm experimenting with different yoga videos, trying to find routines I like. I would love suggestions. I'm a novice, but I'm naturally stretchy and bendy, so beginning positions can sometimes feel a bit unchallenging. I'd really like to find some routines that give me a good stretch, build core strength, and focus on good form and breathing technique. Ugh. Covid. ? My husband's workplace went through an outbreak about a month ago. @Amazonia, hope he feels up to snuff soon. @Lucchesa, glad it was a false alarm. Also, I would have had some "appreciative" words for that dog-napping do-gooder! @Madame Mew, gardening totally counts! ? I've actually been meaning to do some of that too. I have a lonely rosebush that wants some companions. What kind of herbs are you planting for the cool weather?

Ooooo... Elf seems like it would be lovely for a forest walk. I hope your husband is ok.

Awesome sauce! Welcome aboard, @Lucchesa! So glad the air is clearing up for you guys. Send some of that rain down to California when you're done with it. @Amazonia, I love your Lady Death Savage description. @Madame Mew Glad it's helping! Me too me too! You ladies are putting me to shame and inspiring me all at once! I walked half an hour today, but I also got two closets cleaned out, so I'm call'n it a win. :D. I wore Dead Leaves & Maple Sap which lasts FOREVER, and smells lovely. It definitely amped up the maple syrup on the walk, which was ok, but I don't know about for a hard core workout. I'm waiting for Monday so I can bust out some crazy dancersize videos without my husband snickering. ? Only my cats get to judge.

You ladies are awesome! Thanks for joining in and helping me stay motivated too. @Madame Mew, Antikythera Mechanism is gorgeous. Glad you were introduced.

@artisjok Yes, I really like Cancer 2017 when I feel dreamy. It's not airy, but fresh watery, and always seems a little mystical. What are your airy, dreamy blends? @Seajewel Oh boy, I'm hiding my wallet from the Liliths in anticipation of the Weenies. There are usually some nice lavender blends in there though. I wonder if any of them will be good sleep blends.

Huh. I wouldn't have expected it to be earthy. You've peaked my interest. I'll have to check it out!

I actually find dirt notes very grounding and good for sleep. (Nah. Definitely no pun intended there. ) Since my previous post, I've also found I really enjoy Deep in Earth (which smells to me like a rainsoaked garden) and The Rat Speakers. The green notes in Nephlim are also soothing. Baba Yaga and the Chicken Legged Hut are also strangely comforting, though I don't often sleep in them.

I usually experience snow notes as either a chilly mint or an ozone and light, sweet coconut blend. But as @torikitty mentions, the lab varies things up a bit. Usually, fragrances with that descriptor are going to be cool smelling rather than warm and comforting. It also seems to me, they're usually on the lighter side. They can last a while, but they usually aren't going to be the heavy, rich, decadent scents I usually love. Some folks love the snowy stuff. I'm kinda ambivalent toward it. You'll just have to try a few blends if you're interested and see what you think. You might try putting an ISO Snowy Scents up on the Wanted thread. Just specify you're looking for testers and see what folks offer. That way, you don't have to troll the swaps pages looking for the descriptors.

This is a wonderfully warm, comforting scent. It's golden brown and perfect for autumn. The vetiver and hay keep it from smelling anywhere near foody, though a trickle of honey wafts in and out of the dry grasses and grains, adding some sweetness. There's a pleasant mustiness to the blend that makes me think of a grain silo or clean, hay-filled barn while still hinting vaguely of freshbaked bread. Someone upthread mentioned The Chicken-legged Hut, and I'd agree with their comparison and add The Marshwoman's Brewery to the list. Himalia lacks the floral notes in TMB , but there's still something delightfully yeasty in the mix. I don't know if I need to hunt down a bottle of this, but I've very much enjoyed my imp.

Wow. This smells more like spice cake on me than honey cake. I was hoping for something more akin to Feeding the Dead. This is not it. I amp the heck out of cinnamon, and apparently it's in here, beating me over the head. I might be catching a few whiffs of ale, but my nose is too beleaguered to be sure. For those who DON'T amp spices like a mofo, this would probably be great for Oktoberfest. 15 minutes later, things have calmed down enough I can smell honey in the background. It smells a bit buttery, golden, sort of like the note in Hymn to St. Brigid, but it's not as sweet. This is more how it smells in the imp, but it's still spicing at me, and I'm not having it! Alas, not for me.

Huh. Waayle... I expected to be gaga for this one since I'm a huge fan of all three notes, but this isn't at all what I expected. The copal in this smells like the one in Coffee Beans & Copal, which also didn't work for me for some reason. Normally, I get an earthy, metallic tang from the note, almost like the way money smells, but here I'm getting lemony cola. I know others have mentioned copal smelling like cola, but it usually doesn't for me. I'm not really digg'n it. I get a little cocoa in the imp, sort of a chocolate cake mix smell, but nada on my skin. Just copal and a bit of dusty amber. Perhaps this needs some aging to come into it's own. (I'm testing this fresh from the mail.) As is though, I'm glad I didn't splurge on a bottle. If Coffee Beans & Copal was your jam, you'll probably like this, but I'm a bit disappointed. ? I might have to play with this before I give up on it. It might smell nice added to other things. I'll report back if there are any positive changes.

I swear, this one just smells like apples and cinnamon to me at first. Ok, now it's pears and cinnamon, with a teeensy hint of something floral. (The oil is bright red, which is fun. ) It's continuing to morph, and now the pears and the poppy have blended to a bright, fruity floral and I can tell the spice isn't quite cinnamon. It's got a sharp, dry bite to it though. Perhaps that's the epazote? I can't really separate the herbal notes. I think the amber is just lending a touch of arid warmth to the whole. This isn't really in my wheelhouse as something I'd wear much, but it is pretty. The dry, spicy bite mixing with the bright juiciness makes for an interesting combo. Glad I revisited it, but my vote's for Paramatman! #tournamentofunderdogs

I'm cheating a bit b/c I'm reviewing this from memory. I actually thought this one was discontinued! Seems like I should grab a bottle. I remember this being a simple but gorgeous blend. All three notes are recognizable, and the dry sandalwood plays beautifully with the sweet florals. I have a book of Indian fairytales filled with oil-paint illustrations of lush gardens, princesses in pastel silk, and elaborately carved Hindu architecture. Paramatman evokes such images with its mix of temple incense and lush flowers. Unabashedly Eastern and a must try for champaca and incense lovers. #tournamentofunderdogs

This was mostly jasmine and oud on me. The jasmine was pleasant, but the oud is being p'oudiferous. That said, sometimes oud is just awful. Here it's just going a little barnyard. Wish I got some elemi or silken musk. The most surprising thing to me about this one is it's short wear length. This stuff's gone on me within 2 hours. From the listed notes, I expected this one to have a long wear time.