ellebelle

I typically hate rose, but there is something about the way that the lychee and rose blend together that makes the rose in this better than it typically is on my skin. It's a dark citrus rose, somewhat sugary and rich. My skin doesn't eat the citrus, so it continues to add some sparkle to the rose. I'm not sure I would get a bottle of this because rose isn't one of my favorite notes, but this is very beautiful and if you are a rose lover you should track this down! ETA: It dries down to that rose-y scent that always give me a headache.

In the bottle, this is almost a pure orchid floral. On immediate application. this oil smells like something burning. But! As it dries down that burning scent fades into the background and the orchids take the center stage. As the orchids blossom, the burning (which is almost certainly vetiver) fades into the background and grounds this scent and takes it away from being too flowery. On first scent, I questioned why I bought it. The more I smell it, the more I like it.

In the wet stage this is ALL balsams. Vanilla who? Leather who? It's balsam all the way ... a kind of sappy, grassy, leafy scent. As it dries, the balsam fades some and the leather takes center stage. It's a suede-y kind of leather to my nose. The final dry down is kind of a musty, booky scent. I never really get any vanilla from this. Jury is out - it could age well, but it may be for swap.

Wet: this smells like mold and grass clippings. Dry: like concrete and musty furniture. This is an interesting, but entirely unwearable scent for me.

I do not get any rose at all in this. For my, it is all spiced orange/apricot - a very "copper" smell, actually. Amber behaves well on my skin and it makes this scent more resinous. I like it, not as much as I thought I would, and I'm not sure enough to keep the bottle.

Violet and herbs … maybe some ylang ylang? And a bit of musk? The base of this smells very much like The Girl on me, which pleases me! It's like a more springtime, floral version of The Girl. LOVE.

Very much apple blossom on me all the way through. I actually prefer the apple blossom smell to the "apple" smell because it feels more like a perfume and less like a candy body wash. It doesn't morph on me at all - it's straight apple blossom all the way through to the end. The apple blends love my skin chemistry and I love them back! I haven't tried the non-proto poisoned apple, but I can't compare. ETA: at the extreme dry down, I get the cherry blossom. If there are any other notes in this, they are so well blended as to be invisible.

This was very similar to the other dairy scents on me. When I skin tested it next to Mother Shub's Spiced Lait du Chevre and Nonae Caprotina, I found that Werepuppy was not as sweet at the ones with goat's milk. It's probably more similar to Stinky (which I sold away long long ago) with that dry, baby-powder milk note. The end is definitely a sour musk note. This is not as unappealing on me as Stinky was (which was awful), but it's not unique enough that I want to make grabby hands and take it away.

I honestly can't decide if I like this. The "keening wind" must be ozone, as that it very present in this blend on my skin. Ozone always smells a wee bit like cleaning fluid on me, which is off putting. As it dries, I get more of a "green" scent which must be the quickening tree. I agree with Stellens, there is definitely a cinnamon note in here too, which is most noticeable on the dry down. This does not smell like beeswax or candles to me. I have tried Hanerot Halalu, Ichabod Crane, The Lights of Men's Lives, Bijoux Y'ha-nthlei and Giant Vulva and this smells utterly unlike any of those. I also don't get any of the blackberry or sheeps milk. Overall, this is a very very interesting blend, complex and well-blended. I'm not sure it's really for me, but I think this would be beautiful for someone else. ETA: On me, this does not last very long. On the final dry down, I do get that semi-milky note. ETA2: It's been almost a month and I STILL do not get any blackberries. I am now getting beeswax from this scent - it is a sweet, milky beeswax and ozone on me, with a touch of herbs. The lasting power is still around 4 hours on me, but I am loving it more and more. It reminds me a lot of The Lights of Men's Lives, but less sugary and more milky.

It smells like snake oil and honey. There is no magic transformation for me - it smells just like snake oil and honey. I think I'll keep it for now, but it needs to age before I really want to wear it.

I once said that I never met a beeswax scent that I didn't like. I have now met one, and I am sad. Very, deeply, sad. in the bottle: This smells of ginger and lime. wet: like cat pee!!!!! :( Usually I only get that smell with orange blossoms, but in this case I think it is the interaction between the lime and the rose. Note to self: along with orange blossom, anything with citrus backed by a strong "traditional" floral will do this to me. drydown: Thankfully, the cat pee smell fades and the last remaining scent is a musky amber rose. Oh, rose. I know you are a note of doom, but I thought I would risk this anyway. I was wrong, wrong wrong. I never get any beeswax or coriander from this, but it's probably in there. verdict: Sell/swap.

Girly things? Makeup samples are welcome. i don't really need moisturizer/soap samples. coffe/tea/hotchocolate? coffee, coffee, coffee. Then hot cocoa. And at a distant third is tea (and I tend to like strong teas - darjeeling and chai in particularly) recipes? Sure, why not? art: I love art, though I do tend to be picky. If you yourself is an artist, then I would love it to death as I love original art. If you're thinking of buying me something, you're better off going with something small. I love old book plates and things from natural science books. Do you like alcoholic beverages? If so, what is your preference (beer, wine, liquor...)? And finally, is it legal to ship alcohol to your state? I love classic cocktails, so any booze is welcome. I also like to try random things, so any kind of interesting, off the wall liqueur would also be very welcome. I am a huge wine drinker too. Wow, I sound like an alcoholic. I don't know what the legality if of shipping here, though I have ordered wine before and it has shipped here fine. Imagine that someone hands you their wallet and sends you into a really good bakery. They have everything, from breads to brownies, cookies to croissants, anything you could imagine, and you're allowed to pick out five things for yourself. What do you pick? (1) Pain au chocolat (preferably fresh from the oven - my taste memories of the first time I was in Paris and I was jetlagged so I got one fresh from the oven and ate it while I walked to the Eiffel Tower are vivid) (2) Blondie (3) Honey Spelt Bread (4) Those crunchy, buttery pinwheel things (I'll try and find a picture) (5) white chocolate macadamia nut cookies Would you like soaps? Especially from Paintbox? And ESPECIALLY the Valentines Special Edition Soaps?? Could never turn them down! Sockdreams?: I've never ordered from there, but they look lovely! I am not one for thigh highs or knee highs though. Steampunk: I love the aesthetic, but I don't have anything that is steampunk. Salty caramels? Chocolate bacon? Oh my! I'll try anything once. Any big events coming up in your life? Nope! Would you like or accept an energetically-charged item or gift? Something that had power poured into it? If so, do you have a particular purpose that you'd prefer? (Love, protection, money, etc.)?: As indicated on my questionnaire, I do not practice (nor have ever practiced) any kind of religion/spiritual faith. While I find all religions and beliefs systems fascinating in an academic, anthropological kind of way, they aren't really for me. Villianess update?: I've only tried their perfumes, but they slide right off of my skin. I am always willing to be enabled though!! How are we feeling about Burlesque? I LOVE burlesque as an art form. I saw "A Burlesque Christmas Carol" this year - not a particularly artful burlesque, but interesting nevertheless. I'm more interested in the art/history/fashion of it than practicing it myself. Win some earrings from alicia_stardust? They are beautiful, but copper is not a good metals for my ears. They tend to be a little sensitive to low grade metals. Do I want my witch to reveal? I hope so! I would like to know in the end. Do I want a lot of little packages or one big one? Whatever she wants. Everyone has a different style. I believe I will be witched eventually! Keys? They are really cool, but I'm not sure I'd know what to do with one. I'm not a collector, so ... seems more like something I would admire rather wish to acquire. favorite flowers: Gerbera daisies. Sleepytime? : I wear oversize t-shirts and shorts/pants. Frankenpolish?: sure, why not? vegan baked goods: ... would be greatly appreciated by the BF since he's lactose intolerant (bordering on totally allergic to all dairy - like, he can't even have butter) and I don't mind. Dog sweater? I have no pups, and I'm pretty sure the kittehs would destroy any kind of sweatery goodness. Lipbalm: I tend to use lip gloss or some kind of medicated balm when my lips get chapped. Nothing super fun, I'm afraid. fictional universe: Mmm, His Dark Materials is a good one. I want to ride one of the bears!! (Though The Subtle Knife is my favorite of the three books) The final frontier?: I am a total ST: Voyager fangrrl. There, I said it. I like TNG, but Voyager was the only one I was every really, really into. I DVR the repeats on Spike. I need to buy the DVDs. astronomy? Not so much - it has never really been my thing. HP House? Gryffindor! And my patronus would probably be something like a mountain lion. What have I lost that I can never get back? I had this fabulous little cream colored shell that I got at the HUGE H&M in Stockholm. It was cheap (maybe $12.00 US?) but it looked good with dressy clothes. I have no idea where it went to, and I curse the day I lost it. Have I bought anything? My dear witch, I haven't bought anything but I have been trading on the V-Day thread. I am sorry. BAD ELLEBELLE. canned/jarred goods? Nommy, nom nom nom nom! But I'm not into berries. Whew, okay let's see if I got all of this ... Nail polish - I don't really wear it very much, sadly. If you're going to go that way, I like deep sparkling reds. natural sea sponge - no thanks! BPAL boxes - I am desperately in need of an other bpal box. Also, I need a portable imp case or something so I can carry them in my purse. incense/scented candles - not so big on the incense. Candles are fine, though the BF and I currently have an overabundance of them. If you go that way, no too many and I tend towards foody and/or citrus scents. WoW - can't say I've ever played. amazing yard sale/garage sale find - (1) I collect antique (pre-1900) bottles, so any one that is RED would be totally amazing (they are very rare because the red coloration was made with gold) (2) An antique box - I love the old cashboxes that were popular in colonical India/Africa. Turkish Delight:You know, I don't think I've ever tried it. And my rule is that I'll try anything once! Mardi Gras: I've never lived anywhere that it is truly celebrated. My best friend lived in New Orleans for two years, and never did get down there to see her during Mardi Gras - too expensive. The photos look like she had a good time! Mix CDs? I love making and receiving mix CDs more than I could ever say. Some of my friends and I have group mix CDs where we are each allowed to pick 9 minutes of music on a theme. It has led to some weird, but wonderful, mixes! Candy? The BF thinks it is disgusting, but I love those night-crawler jelly worm things. They are so artificially delicious! And, of course, chocolate in any form. What are the first five songs on the "Top 25 Most Played" list on your ipod? Heh, get ready for this: Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood Jet Black Ash - Bain Mattox All The Girls Love Alive - Sir Elton (yes, I like him, so sue me) Green River - M. Ward Save and Horse, Ride a Cowboy - Big and Rich My Light, Maria - Pale Young Gentlemen Possum Kingdom - The Toadies Bullet With Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumpkins Murray - Pete Yorn Apple of my Eye - Ed Harcourt Movin' Out - Billy Joel Can't Stand Losing You - The Police Swim - Ani Difranco Western States (demo) - Jay Mankind In Love With A Girl - Gavin DeGraw Red Flags and Long Nights - She Wants Revenge I Hate Myself for Loving You - Joan Jett Never Been to Spain - Three Dog Night When I'm Down - Chris Cornell I Know Where I've Been - Queen Latifah (from the Hairspray soundtrack) Train - Sonya Kitchell Feeling Good - Muse Identity Theft - Nellie McKay Everybody Loves Me - The 88 Gangsta Paradise - Coolio So when I said my taste in music is eclectic on the Qaire, I meant it!! If your witch was international, would you be interested in receiving gifts that were representative of her country or culture? Absolutely! Would love it. Pet toys? The kittehs love their catnip, but don't eat cat-treats. Naughty Things: As I said in the No-Baby Swap, I'm not so into the toys and games. But naughty BOOKS are fine. Gently Used CDs/DVDs: Certainly! I often buy used for myself anyway since it is so much cheaper. Favorite Love Story: Much Ado About Nothing is STILL my favorite Shakespearean play. I tend to like the romantic comedies where you know two people are perfect for each other but it takes them until the very end to admit it. (See also: While You Were Sleeping, French Kiss, Bridget Jones's Diary - three of my favorite mindless, I just want to relax and have a good time movies). My least favorite are when two people are perfect for each other and ridiculous obstacles come in the way of them being together. (See: every soap opera ever made.0 Gagetry!: I would love a cover for my ipod nano (I have the most recent version). Some of you crafty folks could probably easily even make one!! I'd love a laptop envelope also (Dell Latitutde D620). Otherwise, I have pretty much all of the accessories I need. ComiCon/Ren Faires: I have never been, but if I went I am not the type to dress up. Actually, the closest I come to any of that are the Jazz Age events that are held here. I kind of dress up for those - I don't have the vintage clothes, but I have some in kind of a vintage-style and I wear my estate jewelry. EDIT: For those that are curious, you can search Michael Arenella and the Dreamland Orchestra - they put together the Lawn Parties, and you can see my series of photos from the event last summer here. Oh, and my dear future witch: I believe I forgot to include on my Qaire that I am severely allergic to (I think) BPAL's cassia oil scent. Hand knit: Absolutely! My mom is a huge knitter and she has made me several lovely things. She does mostly lace knitting now, so shawls and things. My cousin knitted me a wonderful soft had for Christmas. I loves the knitted goodies! Love poem: Yeah, I'm not so big on those, apparently. Though my favorite poem is "The Wanderer", an old english poem. Google books has the translation I like: http://books.google....r...;q=&f=false (scroll up to page 7 for the beginning) Valentine's Colors: I particularly love deep, dark reds but I'm okay with pretty much all valentiens colors. Hand-sewn?: I would love anything art-ed, sewn, or crafted by my witch. If you send me art, it will be lovingly framed and displayed in my home. If you send me clothing goods, they will be lovingly worn! I love it all. Microbes: My friend works in a genetics lab and her fiance got her the microbes one year for her birthday. My favorite is the mad cow - because it's cow patterned!!! But I probably don't need any for me. Favorite sign of spring - days getting longer and cherry blossoms in bloom! I love the first day I can take a walk outside with just a light jacket. Favorite obsure animal: I am fond of quokkas.

The smells like what I wanted Blackberry Jam and Scones to smell like. It has the warm bakery feel, but the addition of the rose stops this from being too unbearably foody. This isn't something I would reach for all the time, but it is definitely something I would like to have in my collection. Oh dear, I need another box.

On me, Liz = Hanae Mori. Like it's eerie, and I couldn't place the smell, and then I did a side by side test. Hanae Mori (my old, every day wear perfume) is a little ... richer smelling, but the dry down is almost identical.

I love this. Do you hear me? LOVE THIS. For me, the pomegranate is not overpowering, but rather soft and lovely. There is a definitely backing of pine and the "minty" snow note (as opposed to the coconut/plastic one of Snow White). It is a crystalline scent and very beautiful. If I put this on directly after a shower (as I used it with moisturizer as well), it sticks with me for at least 1/2 of the day.

in the bottle: Orange! wet: a splash of bright orange citrus with something slightly spiced backing it. There is definitely a floral in here - something that has the tendency to be a little "old lady-ish" on me. Definitely some amber and musk as well. drydown: the citrus fades fast leaving a dusty, musky smell. This one definitely smells very "perfume-y" to me, but I kind of like that. verdict: I think this is a keeper.

This smells like inhaling a suede vest, or a new pair of shoes. I too admire Beth's genius, but this imp is going to the swap box.

This is a surprising win for me. It has the BPAL snow note - not the snow white note, but the more "icy" note. It's a slightly minty note one me with a background of light, sweet flowers. I think this might be a bottle!

'09 Wow, this one smells almost odorless in the vial, maybe a faint scent of flowers. On, this smells like doll plastic. It dries down to doll plastic. I don't get cream or coconut or flowers or anything - just plastic.

Tobacco-chocolate FAIL. The chocolate smells like a scratch and sniff sticker and the tobacco overwhelms the other two notes until the drydown.

I get ozone. Lots and lots and lots of ozone. It smells really sharp and astringent on me. Beneath the ozone, there is a sweetness there that is probably the lily of the valley and the plumeria. I get almost no musk and no amber. I would love this scent if it weren't so sharp, but it kind of tickles my nose as it is. I'll keep the decant to see if it mellows over time, but I can't justify looking for a bottle when there are other blends I love more.

In the bottle: It smells almost ... clean. I don't really smell any of the individual notes in it. It smells green and woodly. wet: It smells very much like it does in the bottle. It almost smells like wet dirt. As it dries down, it gets woodier and woodier - this is definitely a "salty" aquatic rather than a floral aquatic drydown: This goes through a brief stage where it smells almost exactly like Jolly Roger to me, and then the herbs start to emerge from the aquatic-ness. As it dries, it becomes more and more herbal and the sort of woodiness is gone, or fades to the background. I'm not sure which herbs are in this, though I would agree that there is a minty quality to them. verdict: I'll have to think about this one. If you like Jolly Roger and A Fit of Artistic Enthusiasm (which I do), you'll probably like this scent - it's a dirtier, more herbal version of those scents. I will definitely keep the decant, but I'm not sure this is worthy of a bottle since I own both of the scents I just mentioned. ETA: The more this dries, the more is smells like the wet earth by a riverbank. I am impressed with Beth's ability to perfectly match a scent to its name, but I don't really want to smell like dirt.

Evening Cicadas and Red Peppers - there is not a trace of pine in there, at least not to my nose! I am not so big on the pine-y scents, which makes my relationship with the BPAL snow scents difficult. But I love me some Evening Cicadas and Red Peppers.

I get verbena, and that is it - but I amp verbena like crazy. I do not get any amber at all. In the final stages of the drydown, I get verbena herbs, which gives the scent an almost metallic twang. Sadly, not for me.

in the bottle: it smells like soap. wet: The initial wet stage is very, very soapy for me, which scared me a little. The soap goes away rather quickly though, and is replaced with a luminous floral scent. This is a lush, darkly floral scent, and I like it. dry down: Goes a bit powdery, but retains its character. The throw is super low - it sticks very close to the skin. Verdict: Truthfully, this reminds me a powdery version of The Girl. And since I love The Girl and have two bottles, I can't imagine myself buying a bottle of this I will hold onto my decant though. The boyfriend said it smelled like, "Cherry 7-up". I told him to smell again and he smelled and looked thoughtful and said, "Cherry 7-up layered with trees." Sigh. ETA: After 2 hours, goes back to soapy. Boo.