magpiedee

Oh, the loveliest! It's all warm, honeyed orange and deep emerald green, like a splatter of lillies against the backdrop of the forest. It's the smell of something young and innocent hiding in the honeysuckle, the smell of hide and seek for wild things, of the dappled, sunny space where the forest opens up to a clearing. This oil is one of the few i've known that smells the same to me in the bottle, on my body, and after a bit of time. It is warm and clear and clean, but not at all crisp. It reminds me of my grandmother, bees buzzing lazily in the sun, making tents of old sheets, glasses of sweet iced tea and taking naps in piles of leaves. Very carefree, very sweet, very simple. And very, very beautiful.

If Bordello wore a purple satin dress, it would become Marie. I agree with the previous posters-- Marie plays the saucy violet to the comforting, sleepy Veil and the sharp, staunch Wings of Azrael. When I picture these three scents in my head (please excuse the long, drawn-out simile), I see them as a family in an old-timey English tintype. Veil is the mother-- she's still sensual and pretty, but she's gotten comfortable and gained a little curvy weight, and she spends most of her days in laudanum dreams. Wings of Azrael is the father-- he's got a stiff backbone, wears his starched collar so high that it digs into his chin, and would say "but, my good sir, that's preposterous!!" several times a day. Yet underneath his English staunchness, you can tell he's still dark and powerful and debonair and dashing, and you can tell how he and Madame Veil provoked a good deal of gossip in their day. Between them is Marie-- an impish nymphete who dresses in bright purple satins and wears rouge, even though her mama beats her for it. She's the sort of girl who kisses boys on the playground and might have shown Jean Claude her ankle once on a dare. She's going to grow up to take Paris by storm, as soon as she's had her debut. She has white, porcelaine skin, pitch black hair and startlingly violet eyes, and she knows she's a little Lolita and uses it to her advantage, sitting on the laps of her father's rich friends and wiggling while she admires their medals and mustaches. So, there's my random metaphor for the violet family. I love Marie for the exact reason listed above-- when Veil is too sleepy and Wings is too sharp, Marie puts a bit of mischief and beauty and sensual energy into the mix. I love violet scents, and this one would be wonderful for going to a costume tea party or playing Spin the Bottle.

'scuse the grammar, but that sounds like the FUNNEST THING EVAR. I can't wait to start the process myself...

I was so cocky, making my wee jokes when Nella started this thread... blah blah blah naked Bea Arthur ha ha blah... and now I completely understand what everyone is going through. I've got one Click n' Ship from a May order that has been tracked to my local PO and then back to Los Angeles... and a June 2 order that hasn't had a Click n' Ship yet, even though Beth says they're shipped through then. And i've send 2 emails to answers@ with no reply. So I guess what i'm saying is... sorry I was a cocky little jerkoff there. I have been duly punished by ye olde hubris. Anybody know the best way to get answers fast nowadays?

Perhaps Phantom Queen, Le Serpent Qui Dance, La Belle Dame Sans Merci... *I just love Baudelaire!*

Huzzah! Husband has agreed to indulge me for my birthday by letting me commission a custom blend. I just emailed Beth. Which is probably great timing, as I know that she's got plenty of time, what with Red Moon coming out today, and how slow and boring the rest of her life is... But at the very least, I can get on the waiting list, right? Plus, there's not much in the world I like better than answering questions. Now, if I just knew my blood type...

Ya know how in the old Tom & Jerry cartoons, sometimes the character would do something stupid, and their head would appear briefly as either an ass or a sucker? I feel like that, but it's some weird "sucker-ass" combination. I got all riled up reading the "shipping" threads and emailed the lab to ask about my May 26 order. And, not 5 hours later, got my first Click n' Ship notice. And now I'm going to waste the lab's time for something that's already been taken care of, and I can't even send a preemptive "nevermind" email, because that's just one more brussel sprout on an already full plate. So, apologies in advance, y'all. I guess my patience was just retarded today. But now i've got my long-lost bellydance costume, and I owe that partially to the wearing of Alecto, and my order is shipped, and all is well with the world, and i'm just going to feed my dog some blueberries, swig some Nyquil and go off to blessed, blessed dreamland. Thanks so much for what you do, Beth! On days like today, your creations are all that keep me grounded and not freaking out. I mean, I was crying, but it was angry, purposeful crying, right? Alecto is perfect.

Whoa, Speedy! What's wrong? Are you okay? Just frustrated? Hope you're alright-- one big ARRGHH makes me worry!

I've got two new ones: Maiden + Lush Fox in the Flowers--smells like dandelions, Midsummer and a beautiful afternoon spent in a field surrounded by flowers. I imagine Rosalind would also be lovely with FitF. The Hesperides + Lush Honey I Washed the Kids + Lush Ma Bar-- they all have that lovely caramel/honey/apple/vanilla/fresh smell. Utterly delicious and golden.

If you likey likey Lush's Honey, I Washed the Kids, then you are going to *LOVE* The Hesperides!!! It is the same scent, except lovelier. Caramel apples eaten in a sunny grove, lots of sunlight and green leaves and gooey drippiness. A honey-colored afternoon, when one simply must be wearing a cool, swishy skirt and going barefoot in the soft grass. Or maybe a caramel sunday dripping down your arms, with your hair in pigtails, still in the apple orchard, laughing with a golden-haired boy who might like you. This is a scent of golden honey, the sun shining through leaves, a cool breeze, grass warm and soft, learning against something strong, feeling free and easy as time slows to a standstill. Memories, warmth, honey, green, gold, leaves, blue sky, pigtails, ribbons, bare knees, bare arms, ice cream, caramel, sweetness, innocence, carefree youth, whistling, whittling, skipping, crunchy sugar, fresh sweat, new love, amber-- that's it! A beautiful moment caught in amber forever. I seem to think it would provoke beautiful dreams, the kind one remembers fondly for years. A dream that feels better than real life.

They're quite tidy, and there doesn't seem to be that "sinew sucked out the sweetness" smell I get with the ties... but I'll still have to remove them to fit them in my imphouse, because the labels won't work with the floral foam. Anything that makes the lab folk happier and keeps us supplied with the preciousss is alright by me, baby.

You will love it! The Unicorn is easy to love. I don't even like water scents, or I never have, 'til now... More evidence of the magic of BPAL.

Um... it's actually not an "order", per se. A 5mL of Veil had been accidentally left off of a previous (April?) order, and it's just been hanging around in limbo. I have pending orders for May 26 and June 2, and I just assumed it would be tacked onto one of them. Thus, I was very surprised and excited to receive today's package. I got my 5mL of Veil, plus imps of The Unicorn, The Hesperides, Alecto, Hellfire and Magdalene. This is exactly what it must feel like to win the lottery. I have already begun a sweet and innocent tryste with The Unicorn.

Must. Pull. Self. Away. From . Order... nggggh.... I just received a shipment dated June 14, and I am in Atlanta. That's pretty quick shipping! Something tells me my horrid week has finally been laid to rest by the deliciousness that is BPAL. Even if the cat bled all over the sofa this morning, I now have some beautiful scents to play with... Thank so much, Brian! Please tell whomever packed my order that *I LOVE THEM*. The freebie imps y'all choose are better than I could choose myself, and I am utterly flabberghasted and grateful and delirious.

Wow. Talk about staying power! Just from opening the swap envelope, the whole room is hung with purple velvet curtains of scent just screaming "Saturnalia rocks!" I opened it at noon, put it on at 1, and at 4:30, it's still pushing to the front of the line. How to describe it? If Veil is violet, this is what's under the veil. Very dark and almost furry, decadent and deep, opaque, indigo. I don't get any smoke or spice... just violet with a plush edge that must be vetiver. I have dueling mental images-- the deepest purple violet covered in hoarfrost at 3am in the snow -VS- a purple velvet chaise lounge with lots of curves and tasseled pillows. I think I like this one better than Wings of Azrael for sleeping, even. Utter yum. F#cking A, I approve! Will be buying more of this delicious sauce!

I also enjoy Kumiho very much and am disappointed it fades so fast. I've worn Calvin Klein Truth since the day it came out for interviews, presentations and other important, "professional" functions, and Kumiho is like Truth with a soul. Definitely a keeper, but will require layering. And, on the synaesthetic review note, Kumiho is clear and green, a cold green, a tourmaline green. It is crystalized. If you grew up in the 80's, most of the cartoons involved a strange group of creatures/robots/mutated fluffballs trying to capture and save some esoteric crystalline object from the sacred cave before the bad guys could steal it to rule the world. Kumiho is that random crystalline object, sitting quietly in the cave to be used for good or evil, depending on how it feels that day. Cold, clear, sharply cut, quiet. If it could talk, it would hiss and speak from shadows, but have an amused and possibly kindly note to its voice. It could even be a bit reptilian, but more of a constricter than a viper. I like it verra verra much.

Sooo.... what're the chances of joining The Blue Moon Club, such that one can pay a certain amount of dollars upfront and get the Blue Moon of the Month imp without ordering during the window? Kinda like ordering the 7 Deadly Sins? You know, for those of us with nosy husbands or forgetful noodles? Pleaseplease?

Definitely Airheads. 2 points for shadow's hub! Another bad movie that cracks me up. Brendan Fraser with all that hair and motorcycle boots... sigh.

Question: Where is my order? Answers: 1. The dragon ate it. 2. Uh... Canada? 3. Sorry, we don't sell Snake Oil in 50-gallon drums. 4. You had the veggie burger with a side of fries, right? 5. I'm holding your cat hostage and won't mail your order until you send us a helmet full of cottage cheese and naked pictures of Bea Arthur. No, really. Nella, your job reminds me of a quote I used to enjoy: I don't know whether to kill myself or go bowling. On the one hand, you get to spend all day at BPAL learning the secrets, smelling amazing and being very cool. On the other hand, you field 400 emails a day from we obsessive freaks chewing our nails off waiting for orders. And i'm not going to ask about my orders. Nope. Seriously. I'm not.

Thanks for the update, and I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing trip! ... and I promise not to email you any more questions for at least... like... um... a week or two? Maybe. ... and thanks for passing on your favorites in the new update. I believe I ordered all of those, so now i'm even more excited. And I just can't hide it.

I also adore it! So buttery and warm, perfect for snuggling at bedtime. It's delicious, round, a deep russett feeling of closed doors to keep in warmth against the cold, loving arms and mouth-watering food simmering for later. How I wish this one was a year-round oil and not a limited edition!

Argh! Baby powder and... well... diapers. La Petite Diaper, I believe Beth coined the phrase? A warm, sickly sweet smell on my skin. I am not getting dew-crushed grasses, which is sad, because it sounds so lovely. And it is quite long lasting, so I can't scrub it off. I hate it when a scent gets rave reviews, has a wonderful description and turns rancid due to my skin. What is the secret ingredient that, when combined with my skin, equals baby poo??? It's all my fault. I let you down, Beth. I make Unseelie stinky.

Hey, Shollin-- I totally agree! In my email to Nella, I mentioned that oil level was not a problem, I was not complaining and I did not need replacements. I don't want to cause any more problems for the lab than they already have, and i'm very happy with the 5mLs I received, even if the labels are a little gooby. I don't want them to waste money on sending me more stuff when they're already besieged, you know? But they do need to know about the saturation of the problem ( of saturation! ), hence the email. Here's to hoping the leaky "viles" wont set 'em back any further than necessary... we need that Midsummer update!

I was trying to find a polite way to mention this problem without conveying any irritation or disappointment. All 4 of my 5mLs (which I received today, thank goddess!!), leaked in transit, and the oil soaked through their labels and the labels came off. Not enough liquid leaked out to make a noticeable difference, and they are easily recognized by smell, but I'm glad y'all already know about it. Whew. And the spoonful of sugar... I was so excited to receive my order! Y'all are so kind to send freebie imps! The slightly altered Lady MacBeth is absolutely delicious! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!

I vote for: Black Phoenix (naturally!) Snake Oil Gluttony Lady MacBeth Alice (so soft and sweet... maybe with goat's milk?) Old Shanghai (mmm... green tea soap...) Those are the ones that come immediately to mind. I can't wait to enjoy the fruits of your shared genius!