artisjok

Okay, it’s so interesting seeing the variations in experiences with Cats & Sparrows. On me, it’s basically is a cooked apple (no spices) was drizzled in caramel and then interpreted as amber…. I don’t know how to feel about it yet. In the drydown, the cedarwood shows up, reminding me of the blonde woods in Aziraphale.

Happy October 1st! While it’s not really “Fall” in Texas (ever), I can’t help but want to dive into my seasonally appropriate October scents. Today, Rite of Passage seemed perfect to start off the month. Definitely pumpkin spicy on me! Not really pumpkin, but maybe there is some of it in the sugared sludge that’s just begging to be added to a tasty coffee. The powdered vanilla concoction that is actually paired with this pumpkin spice is quite decadent in its crowd-pleasing way. No bitter coffee here, or even a touch of roasty aroma on me. Just a sweet tooth’s dream! This scent has great heft! Rare on me, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the experience. Will have to try with a coffee heavy scent, now that my hormones are actually letting me enjoy the note.

The dead love decadence. This is a lush brocade of resinous libations: milk and honey, ribbons of wine twining through with its tangy berry tones. Or maybe that tang the glint of gold that is sparkling within, giving an extra source of light in the dark of the underworld. The myrrh smoke that blesses the offering keeps the mood level and smooths edges. The fatty goat milk has a particularly central role. It’s honeyed cream satisfying far beyond the initial act and into the night.

Coffee Cream Pie is worth a try, even though it’s got the chocolate you’re trying to avoid. It’s the strongest coffee note that I’ve found on my skin, which most often drinks the coffee in a matter of minutes. Plus, it’s currently available, so easier to find. Otherwise, send out a search team for Black Coffee mentioned above, or maybe Black Coffee & Old Books, if leather is okay with you.

So glad I decided to follow my curiosity & blind bottle this one! It’s simultaneously dirty, clean, sweet, spicy, musky and just overall throbbing. Despite being so much, it’s not complicated. It’s just genius. Plus, if you’re a Tom Robbins fan, this scent scratches an itch that has been longing… “The beet is the murderer returned to the scene of the crime. The beet is what happens when the cherry finishes with the carrot. The beet is the ancient ancestor of the autumn moon, bearded, buried, all but fossilized; the dark green sails of the grounded moon-boat stitched with veins of primordial plasma; the kite string that once connected the moon to the Earth now a muddy whisker drilling desperately for rubies.”

Loving this Wayfaring Stranger! I’m getting strong parallel to Quintessence of Dust, yet that one was a bit nauseating on me. This is just as strong, but somehow the coconut is making it oh so delectable. I’m not usually a coconut fan. It’s giving coconut incense vibes, like I adore in Death Cap, plus ancient chapel-turned grungy dive bar, local beeswax candle-making devotee still a constant attendee. A mash up of experiences finding refuge in each other.

Summertime Rogue vibes! Skin musk usually bullies all other notes on my skin, but leather has set some strong boundaries on it, harnessed and leashed it. Still, the fruits aren’t too strong on me with these two powerhouse notes~ more like the smell of fruity lip gloss on whispering lips, or a fruit’s juice remnants on warm skin, fruit long devoured. I am a longtime lover of the Lab’s leather, and this one feels especially apt for the warmer months and bright-colored clothing.

Yule Cat is a good one! Not sure how much of the civet vs. other musk comes through. I enjoyed it. Malevolent musk, a drop of infernal civet, vetiver, club moss, birch, goosefoot, and rowan. Edit: Oh no! I just saw your vetiver aversion.

Unfortunately, this Gossip, Slang & Cuss-words is more akin to TKO than I like. TKO has some stealth champaca-based incense note that dominates on my skin (such a shame because I love lavender & marshmallow…). It’s happening to me here, too. 🙀 The main difference is that the osmanthus is lending a floral tartness to the experience, which works even less without the vanilla-sweetness I usually enjoy it combined with. Silly skin. It’s true that sticks and stones may break bones, but words can damage just as much, and my sweet lavender scent-loving soul is officially crushed.

Aziraphale has been on my need-to-try back burner list for ages, so when I saw the chance to snag a bottle for a super deal (), I snagged hard! Not disappointed. The blond woods are dry and definitely conjure the image of bright gleaming wood, freshly split. Supporting them is the iconic book note of BPAL, so sweetly papery and comforting. A oh-so-gentle poof of musk hovers about the two, yes, like an angelic halo. I’ve been wanting a scent that encapsulates my childhood memories of lumber store visits, and this does the honor of including the book note. Reading is another connection I have to childhood memories with my father. Super pleased Azi works for me and gives me some cherished nostalgia, to boot. Doesn’t hurt that I like his character, too!

I’m getting rootbeer Snake Oil, oddly enough…. Take a root beer, remove the fizz and replace with musk, maybe an extra shot of vanilla, sure. Not sure what to think, what to do, so I’m going to stash this bottle for while. May time heal all wonkiness, and transform this soda into gingerbread.

This Thirteen has been one I’ve reached for many nights since I’ve gotten it, both because it’s such a comfort vibe, aaand it’s tantalizing trying to parse apart which notes I’m smelling. Here’s what I’m smelling this night~ You walk from a brisk forest scene straight into a dimly lit reading room. Removing your boots, a waft of pine resin lingers on the soles and makes its farewell. The reading room is full of heavy wooden furniture, gleaming in muted lamplight from years of polishing. Someone has left half of a pumpkin empanada on a desk, and pop it into your mouth. Can’t let a delectable treat like that go unappreciated. The rich pumpkin filling captures your full attention for a moment, and you miss the soft sound of footsteps come up behind you.. Warm callused hands cup around your eyes, smelling faintly of sandalwood oil and rolling tobacco. You smile and turn and fall into the warmth of an embrace, allowing yourself to be pulled into the next room. A mug of chai awaits, and more.

A Girl Knitting starts with a floral/fruity-tinged fabric, a clean fabric. Almost grape-y. It’s definitely conjuring laundry in the sunny breeze sensations. The clean fabric claims dominance over the tinges of colored sweetness. It’s not my favorite iteration of the note… I really love the more Autumn-esque combos like October 32 and A Cozy Sweater & An Apple Cider. I’ll probably use up my decant for a bedtime scent. Need to try a lavender version…

Meigetsu Ya is brilliant streaks of orange, sparkling with freshness, & smoothed by a surprise vanillic tone, humming serenely beneath its vibrant melody. It’s genius for layering, and perfect for lifting the mood of the day.

I’m getting mostly sugary spices and cream from this PSL, and I’m okay with it! Coffee doesn’t show up well on me, though. It is a warm, comforting experience, and I can imagine that there’s pumpkin adding some of that seasonal element. This latte is replacing Kobold Barista in my collection, because I’ve started to dislike black pepper in my scents recently. Glad I chose to swap for a bottle! 🎃🧡🤎🤍☕️