forspecial_plate

I got this for my mom because she always used to sing a song about yellow snow. I was disappointed that the name is almost impossible to read on the bottle. But the yellow snowflakes are pretty. And I just had to try it, of course. It starts out with a piney sort of snow note and a little fruit, reminding me of Ice Queen. It's zingy and zippy. I agree that it might be good in hot weather, as was mentioned above. Later when it dries down, the vanilla cream and lemon drops make it kind of a suntan lotion smell for me and the snow note kind of disappears. I still like it, and I still think it would be good in the summer. It's sweet and mellow and yellow, lol. Not much more to say. I like Carnaval Diabolique better as lemon scents go, because that one has a little incense/musk intrigue going on. But this is good and I didn't get it for me anyway. My mom thought it smelled like cedar or pine when she first put it on. I didn't get her thoughts later on because there were a million people there.

CXCVII..... I don't really like this one and I'm not sure how to describe it. I think there is vanilla but it's the kind that turns plasticky like a doll head on me. Maybe a little fruit or berry, and maybe a little tropical floral. It's not terrible but I wouldn't wear it.

MCCLI.... I think that Moonarcana gave me this one. It's a very soft spice scent. I can smell clove and possibly ginger. But it's so soft and light, and not really foody except for a little bit of 'bread' note in the very beginning. I want to say there is a very sheer musk, something light that makes it more perfumey as opposed to gourmand. Hard to pick apart but very pretty. It's like the female counterpart to Plunder. It's a winner and I should wear it more often!

I have a little decant of vintage VdN, and I just tried some on to reply here. I bet there is something in the bpal catalog but I can't think off the top of my head which one. At first I was thinking The Harp of Cnoc I'Chosgair but I don't think that's quite right. That might be closer to Samsara with its vanilla and sandalwood. Vol de Nuit is a light, spicy, powdery floral with amber and galbanum which is kind of a greenish resin note. I bet someone has an amber Chaos Theory that smells like it. But I'm still feeling like there's something GC that might work. I just don't know the powdery florals very well. Edit: You know what.....after a while I realized, it is reminding me of Silk Road, except I think Silk Road has more spices. I know that's discontinued, sorry.

Leather Phoenix reminds me of a classic floral-leather chypre, without the moss that most chypres have. There is a 'skanky' (in a good way) animalic undertone but I don't know what that is....maybe the cedar or oudh? I think this scent is soft and pretty, elegant, and when I wear it I can't stop sniffing my wrist because it's so interesting. It doesn't change much as it dries. If you think that leather scents are masculine by default, this one might surprise you. The leather is really balanced with the softer prettier notes, and overall I'd call it unisex. It also really fits with the other Phoenix scents that I've tried, if you consider them a 'family' of scents. There is a dark layer in my bottle that's really hard to mix with the rest of the oil. I don't shake any of my bottles but I rolled and rolled it, and tipped it back and forth, and some of it mixed in but there is still a little thin layer at the bottom. I wonder what that is? I'm thinking it must be the aged oudh.

I love Egoiste! And I'm sort of on the lookout for a bpal scent that is similar. Egoiste has notes of sweet orange, rose and rosewood, vanilla, spice (coriander I think), ambrette seed, and sandalwood. Very lovely orange/sandalwood/rose/vanilla scent, with some spices. Notes vary depending on where you look them up but the rose is not central to the scent....it is a supporting kind of rose. I have my eye on these, and they all happen to be Yules: Harlequin and Columbine (from last year)....."French vanilla, red currant, sage, balsam, rosewood, mandarin, lemon peel, pomegranate, and cedar" Thousands Of Lights....."Indian ambrette seed, beeswax, champaca flower, saffron, Italian bergamot, frankincense, oak bark, and vanilla orchid" In Brightness And In Joy....."Divine mercy: sweet winter berry, orange blossom, frankincense, golden sandalwood, angel's trumpet, and red rose" I am not too familiar with the lab's rose scents, just thought I'd put it out there and see what people thought. And I will report back on what I find, too. : )

Wheee! Keeping in mind, we still have an anniversary update coming. OAK MOON – Eternally evolving, blooming in power and grace: acorns, oak leaves, oak bark, and oak sap rising through a mist of traditional lunar oils. Yes! I'm pretty sure I need this. One of my favorite perfumes is Chene by Serge Lutens, so Oak Moon is kind of a no-brainer for me, hope I really like it. ++ YULE 2011 AUTUMN AND WINTER 2011 – Bitter currant and dry leaves. Winter wind at dusk. Hated this last year, smelled like piercing bathroom cleaner. Sorry. CHANUKKIYAH 2011 – Olive oil, beeswax, glowing amber, sweet sufganiyot, pomegranate, and fig. One of those things that I've always wanted to try, but never got around to. Decant, maybe. CLOTH OF GOLD – Vibrant yellow petals bursting exultantly through a patch of snow. I never really fall in love with the snow and flower scents, probably pass on this one. DIABLE EN BOÎTE 2011 – A strangely sinister, unnerving holiday scent: redwood, bitter clove, tonka, hemp accord, and tobacco with peach blossom, black currant, and red musk. The notes look interesting, can't remember why I wasn't interested before. Will have to look up some reviews. DUST OF SNOW – Snowflakes and hemlock leaves with snowdrop, iris, and Peruvian lily. Sounds soapy, especially the lily. Pass. EGG NOG 2011 – Sweet brandy, dark rum, heavy cream, sugar, and a dash of nutmeg. I have an older decant, smells like slightly spicy air on me. Pass. FROST AT MIDNIGHT – The liberating glory of nature, a celebration of wildness of spirit: fierce musk and immortelle, clary sage and oud, terebinth pine and ambrette seed, ivy and tobacco, honeysuckle and orange blossom. Sounds interesting, might be a bit harsh. Will watch for reviews. GELT 2011 – A bounty of chocolate coins! Dry cocoa and golden amber! I can safely pass! HALÔA 2011 – Wine grapes, pomegranate, myrrh, frankincense and olive leaf, and the warm scent of offertory cakes. I have enough of this, especially since I never wear it. I like it, though. Pass this time. JACOB’S LADDER 2011 – The meeting of Heaven and Earth: golden amber, galbanum, benzoin, ambrette, rockrose, costus and tonka. Maybe it's time to try this again, since my tastes have changed so much since I first tried it in '06. I'll have to think about it. JÓLASVEINAR 2011 – Their scent is a mishmash of snow, dirt, Icelandic moss, marsh felwort, and the smushed petals of buttercups and moorland spotted orchids, with the barest hint of the scent of pilfered Christmas pastries. Another one that I have, like, and never wear. What's up with that?? Pass this year unless the reviews are really different. LICK IT DISCREETLY – This year's minty double ententre! A sticky, chilly peppermint candy cane with sweet vanilla and an extra jolt of sugar. What will we see next year, Lick It On The Down Low?? LOL! Pass, not my thing. MAISON EN PAIN D'ÉPICES – This is the scent of a freshly assembled gingerbread house, with swirls of multicolored icing, spice drop lights, meringue snow, pinwheel mint accents, chocolate roof tiles, candy wafer pavers, and jelly candy stained glass. We used a French translation for ‘gingerbread house’ as the name to make it sound fancier. French adds +40% Fancy! Well, this is a possibility, but it's one of those things that sounds good, but I may end up not wearing. Will have to think about it. MIDNIGHT MASS 2011 – This perfume is a traditional Roman Catholic sacramental incense, most often used during a Solemn Mass. Traditionally, five tears of this incense, each encased individually in wax that has been fashioned into the shape of a nail, are inserted into the paschal candle. This is, of course, represents the Five Wounds of Our Risen Savior. Symbolically, the burning of the incense signifies spiritual fervor, the fragrance itself inspires virtue, and the rising smoke carries our prayers to God. I do not need more Midnight Mass. MIDWINTER’S EVE 2011 – A melancholy, deep scent, poignant and brimming with nostalgia. The perfume of sugared plums over a breeze of winter flowers. I do not need to try this again. NOCHA BUENA 2011 – A celebration of the Nativity: the light, uplifting incense of the Misa de Noche Buena, purple sage, and a vibrant bouquet of plumeria, chrysanthemum, tuberose, Angel's Trumpet, Mexican tiger lily, dahlia, and azucenas. I have either a decant or bottle of this already, and don't really wear it. Pass. That seems to be a recurring theme here. ÖNDURDIS – The Ski Lady, jötunn goddess of winter, bowhunting, mountains, and skiing. The scent of winter wind blowing over snow-capped mountains. Well, hmm....worth a try. Possible decant. PEACOCK QUEEN 2011 – In dramatic contrast to the soft innocence of Snow White and the dew-kissed freshness of her sister, Rose Red, this is a blood red, voluptuous rose, velvet-petaled, at the height of bloom. Haughty and imperious, vain, yet incomparably lovely to the eye, but thick with thorns of jealousy, pride and hatred. I really don't need to try this again. Pass. PINK SNOWBALLS 2011 –A lighthearted winter scent: chilly vanilla rose snowballs! Dainty, soft, and certainly unfit for flinging! Pass. Still have an old decant. PUMPKIN MASALA ROOIBOS – Rooibos tea with red ginger, green cardamom, fennel, peppercorns, almond, and licorice, sweetened with coconut sugar and jaggery. This is a possibility but the sugar and spice scents don't always work for me (see Egg Moon and Spicebush Swallowtail). Worth a decant but I won't get my hopes up. ROSE RED 2011 – The perfected winter rose, dew covered and freshly cut. I like Rose Red but never, ever wear my old decant. Pass. SNOW WHITE 2011 – A chilly, bright perfume: flurries of virgin snow, crisp winter wind and the faintest breath of night-blooming flowers. Don't need more Snow White. Pass. SUGAR COOKIE 2011 – The Devil's Bake Sale returns! Never been interested in this one. Pass. WINTER HEAVENS – Black midnight winter skies glittering with points of light: chill air, champaca flower, white musk, fir needle, papyrus reeds, and grey amber. Could be interesting, could be soapy. Worth a possible decant. Maybe. WOODS IN WINTER 2011 – Wild hemlock and juniper berries scattered in the snow beneath leafless trees bedecked with glittering icicles. I get this one confused with Snow Storm, which I actually like better. This scent is very earthy and cold without a drop of warmth or sweetness. I think my decant from last year is enough for me. YELLOW SNOWBALLS – Because I am very, very crass this year. Slushy white mint, vanilla cream, lemon drops, grapefruit, and yuzu! I want a bottle of this to give to my mom! She would laugh. YULE 2011 – It is Yule, and the Holly King has slain the Oak: blood red holly berry, mistletoe, wild thyme, verbena, cinquefoil, hemp, winter rose, evergreen, frankincense, juniper, and myrrh. Didn't like this when I tried it, pass. ++ FRANKENSTEIN AMIABLE AND LOVELY CREATURES – honey and rosewater with fig, patchouli, night-blooming jasmine, and white almond. Kind of turned off fig after The Nutcracker, pass but I'll watch reviews. BEAUTIFUL AND ADORED – rose musk, white gardenia, English pear, vanilla bean, red currant, and honey. Pass. A BLOT UPON THE EARTH – black plum, Spanish moss, opoponax, davana, vetiver, and opium poppy. I'd like to try this, it sounds rather promising, but who knows. BREATHLESS HORROR – icy white musk and thick olibanum with niaouli, carrot seed, white mint, and camphor. Pass, I think. Something else had niaouli but I can't remember what. I'll watch reviews of this. A COMPANION OF THE SAME NATURE – skin musk, red rose petals, mums, carnations, white linen, and sunlit amber on a bed of soft dry leaves. Sigh.....probably pass, not 100% sure though. THE COUNTRY OF ETERNAL LIGHT – icy wind, depth hoar, and frost-limned lichen. Might be kind of nice, might be kind of soapy. Not sure about this one, but sigh....yet another icy scent? Eh. DAYS AND NIGHTS IN VAULTS AND CHARNEL HOUSES – grave soil, necrophagous insect chitins, moss, mold, dried blood, rot, dirt-smeared wool, and sweat-drenched citrus lilac aftershave. Sounds rather horrid, will watch reviews of this one. THE DEEPEST MYSTERIES OF CREATION – wild frankincense, rose otto, hyssop, and oude. Pass. Thankfully I have not caught oude fever like so many. A DENSE AND FRIGHTFUL DARKNESS – black musk, vetiver, myrrh, opoponax, hemp, crushed sage, oakmoss, and tobacco. Don't know, could be nice, will watch reviews, maybe a decant. A DREARY NIGHT OF NOVEMBER – bone-white sandalwood, ink-black vetiver, Spanish moss, bitter clove, beeswax, and lotus root. Sounds like a strange one. I'll watch reviews. THE HORRORS OF MY SECRET TOIL – vetiver and rose. Eh, no. Pass. INEXTINGUISHABLE HATRED – red ginger and black opoponax with black pepper, stinging neroli, myrrh, and tobacco absolute. Sounds harsh. Will watch reviews. INSUPPORTABLE MISERY – violet leaf, saffron, gunpowder tea, bruised lilac, and despairing lavender. Not calling to me. I will watch reviews with interest. THE MOON GAZED ON MY MIDNIGHT LABOURS – Moroccan musk, black opium poppy, clove, and orris root. Now this, this could be interesting. I'll have to think about this one. MOCKING THE INVISIBLE WORLD WITH ITS OWN SHADOWS – olibanum and murky ambergris accord with verbena, white sandalwood, and wisteria. Olibanum scares me, makes me think of one of the Gaiman scents that was horrible on me, either Ligur or Hastur or whatever they're called, I always get them confused. Will probably avoid this. PALE STUDENT OF UNHALLOWED ARTS – fading Georgian cologne and split O3 molecules. I think there was some chatter surrounding this one, I'm kind of interested but the notes aren't calling me? We'll see. PRIDE OF WISDOM – Roman chamomile, rosehips, ginseng, and fig. Ginseng stinks. Not crazy about chamomile, either. And fig....touch and go. I'll watch reviews. THE REWARD OF MY BENEVOLENCE – boneflower, olive blossom, white sandalwood, clary sage, Himalayan cedar, and oakmoss Boneflower? I think not. Sounds soapy and/or papery, especially with white sandalwood. I'll read reviews. SOLITARY AND ABHORRED – carrot seed, East Indian patchouli, white tea, and peru balsam. Could be interesting, sort of on my radar, but I'm not going to rush to get a decant. We'll see. SORROWFUL AFFECTION – lily of the valley, tuberose, pink carnation, green tea absolute, orange zest, bourbon geranium, and blue musk. Nah, pass. TILL DEATH – white rose, black locust blossom, French magnolia, globe amaranth, iris root, and honeysuckle. Hell to the naw. A TORRENT OF LIGHT – eucalyptus petals, white mint, white amber, and ozone. Does not sound appealing. WORKSHOP OF FILTHY CREATION – electricity-scarred cypress beams, ancient stone slabs, damp metal, the coppery tang of coagulating blood, and ozone. Pass. ++THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL THE LAST EVENING OF THE YEAR – Snow settling on cold skin, tea rose petals, and dusty, threadbare linen. Pass. COLDER AND COLDER – Peppermint, spearmint, white musk, and elemi settling into a deepening darkness. Pass. A WONDEFUL LIGHT – Three radiant ambers with honey, linden blossom, bourbon vanilla, and orange zest. Pass, possible decant but pass for now. THE MOST MAGNIFICENT CHRISTMAS TREE – Spruce pine with hints of silver birch and warm, dark woods. I want a decant. THOUSANDS OF LIGHTS – Indian ambrette seed, beeswax, champaca flower, saffron, Italian bergamot, frankincense, oak bark, and vanilla orchid. I want to try this because the notes resemble Egoiste. Possible decant. IN BRIGHTNESS AND IN JOY – Divine mercy: sweet winter berry, orange blossom, frankincense, golden sandalwood, angel's trumpet, and red rose. Sounds pretty, possible decant, even with the rose. THE COLD HOUR OF DAWN – Esprit de eucalyptus, blue musk, davana, frosty iris, and tagetes. Pass again!

boomtownrat....for dark and spicy vanilla, you should try Snake Oil or Madame Moriarty. They are pretty much must-try bpal scents although not everyone likes them. I haven't smelled the lotion you're talking about, though. Love your icon, I love Klaus Nomi!

Pallas Athene is warm and sweet, orange and woods with a little spice. I think the spices and amber add a little sophistication. I wore this to work and it lasted all day. The orange flirts with candy sweet, balanced and grounded by the wood and amber. Overall this is very good. I don't get a lot of powder from the amber, maybe a little but I don't have a problem with amber like a lot of people do. Actually I wouldn't mind if this were more powdery. Seems like it would be like Velvet Tiger or Three Gorgons.....I would say it's sort of close to Three Gorgons....but I haven't compared closely. I will update if I find any big differences that need to be mentioned. But I think if you like them you would like this too.

I like it too! At first I thought I didn't like it. It goes on me like a powdery poof of green ivy. But you know.....sometimes I can be in the mood for a little powder. And a lot of times, when I don't like a scent, I know I should probably try it again. So anyway, if you're familiar with the lab's green ivy notes, you will recognize the ivy here. When I sniff up close there's something kind of rubbery, like the inside of a balloon. Don't ask how I know what the inside of a balloon smells like. Just kidding, we all know that smell. But that is a minor part of this scent and not everyone will get it. Lots of times when I review something, people might read it and think, "Huh? Did he get a mis-labelled decant??" It's okay, don't worry. I just get weird impressions sometimes. Not sure what else to say about this one. It's fresh and a little sweet, and I'm getting major powder, but it's kind of dandified and there are definitely times when I want that. If you have ever tried Habit Rouge by Guerlain, this reminds me of that same kind of slightly raspy powdery notes, only this is more stripped down and not woody. I had written this off already but now I'm rethinking that decision.

Toasty, earthy, and bakery are all pretty accurate. This wasn't what I was expecting. I can't distinguish linen or vanilla at all, and I wish those were a little stronger in the mix. This reminds me of Bonfire Night but not quite as smokey. The Changeling doesn't seem like a really strong scent but it lasts and lasts for a long time. I like it but it doesn't stand out enough for me to seek more. I will probably keep the decant and wear it from time to time.

Your review for the Seekim is making me think that I need this. I love patchouli and incense and ash, so I must love this. I ordered the Gorobble and Night Hag/Lapland Witches because burnt marshmallows appeal to me and woodsmoke in the latter made it a must have. I swear, I always seem to be drawn to anything with ash, embers and smoke notes. I'm not sure why that is. Maybe it's the incinerator in the backyard when I was growing up in the hills of Los Angeles. Okay, I think that I just dated myself. The patchouli in The Seekim made a weird comeback after having it on for over 6 hours. I was at work and all of a sudden started smelling patchouli. I knew it was me but it was still strange!

The Seekim is my big winner but I know it's not for everyone. Muse Of The Night is really beautiful, but I'm not sure I can pull it off.

Uh-oh.....sorry Wulric but you've got some competition! Don't be too jealous. : ) When I wear this, it starts out weird and chemical and synthetic-smelling, and I didn't think I liked it at first. But then the hay and ash work together to create this ghostly, ethereal feeling that is silvery and shimmery, and this is what I love. I usually don't like cocoa or cacao that much, but it fits perfectly with this particular weird combination of notes. I don't remember anything else like this.....it brings to mind Wulric, but I think Wulric is more warm and snuggly (but still kind of wild), whereas The Seekim is light and ghostly. Eerie. The patchouli isn't heavy, but see, I love patchouli so it makes sense that it wouldn't stand out to me. The shimmery quality does remind me of Sluagh a little bit, just the tone of the scent, but I don't think they have any notes in common. [As a side note, I was hoping this would be something like Serge Lutens' Chergui, but it's actually more like Chene, another shimmery ashy scent....and my favorite non-bpal perfume] The Seekim is light on me so I think I might need 2 bottles, so I can wear as much as I want!

Nope! Frankincense oil should cost around $10 or $15. I checked 2 different sites that sell essential oils that I trust and that was about the average. It's not one of the more expensive oils. I got a sampler for around $20, it's a few 2ml bottles of different varieties of frankincense, very nice to smell the subtle differences. Did anyone else think there was a bit of shortage of frankincense in the new Halloween update? I only see it twice, in Nymphae Avernales and Golden Apple Of The Sun. [or maybe this is just the first time I've noticed it not being used a lot]

The update so nice, I have to break it down twice! I had so many wild cards and maybes I have to go over this again. This time I'll leave out the definite passes. Blood Moon 2011...."A Lunacy inspired by the magnificently morbid fantasies of Edgar Allan Poe: laudanum-stained linen scented by an ink-smeared tobacco musk and phantom bloodstains illuminated by monstrous moonlight". Since this is a totally different Blood Moon, doesn't seem much point to comparing it to the older ones. Actually, the description reminds me a lot of Male Nude, Arms Upstretched, which I already have. I am attracted to the laudanmu note because I really enjoy the sassafras of Laudanum, the GC scent. So........yeah, still undecided on this one. : / A Nocturnal Reverie...."Violet musk and oudh with black amber, ambergris, agarwood, black currant, dark musk, fig, and lavender incense". Looks promising, but could tip the scale over into sweet and fruity. Probable decant. Boo 2011....."Eerie billows of spun sugar, fluttering white cotton, and sheets of cream". I might try to track down a half decant or sniffie. I may have tried this at Moonarcana's house but I can't remember. Devil's Night 2011...."This is the scent of autumn night, fires in the distance, with a touch of boozy swoon, playful sugar and thuggish musk". Might like a decant just to compare to other 'vintages'. Elegy IX: The Autumnal....."Red maplewood, plum leaves, fir needle, wildflower honey, patchouli, hazelnut, and green cognac". This is the kind of scent that is promising but could go either way. I love picking out one or two scents to gamble on a full bottle, unsniffed, just to surprise myself. I'm really curious about this! Nothing But Death....."A dark purple river swelling with tears of rain, damp violets, and specks of bone thick with green scents that speak of mortality: black dried fruits, opopponax, moss, violet leaf and petal, tobacco absolute, saltwater accord, niaouli, and brushed sage". The combination of aquatic and other stuff makes me think of Eanach Dhuin, for some reason, even though they don't really share any notes. Well, I have that one already and never wear it. Still undecided, may have to try a decant. October 2011...."Dry, cold autumn wind. A rustle of red leaves, a touch of smoke and sap in the air". Maybe a decant? I love my old bottle, and I really just am curious if the new one is different or the same. Pumpkin Princess....."Bright, sweet pumpkin with vanilla fluff, guava, chocolate-dusted white amber, tiare, red currant, raw honey, and meringue". Well, I do love Pumpkin Queen, so I think I want a decant of the Princess. Samhain 2011...."Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein". Possible bottle but I can wait on this one. The Halloweenies will be up for a while and this one isn't urgent, but I kind of want a bottle to go with my collection of Samhain bottles and decants. Sonnet D'Automne...."Tenebrous Love: a shivering white musk with vanilla-infused white cocoa, amber incense, and dead, dry leaves". Pretty sure this is a bottle for me, without trying first. Sounds really lovely. The Vampire Bride...."Icy skin touched by a perfume of violet leaf, white tea, olibanum, elemi, myrrh, wormwood, crypt dust, and saffron with a dribble of blood red musk". Kind of curious....maybe a decant....having trouble anticipating what this would smell like, but I like the description. The Black Apple Of Saturn...."Dried Arkansas black apple, opoponax, cypress, myrrh, tobacco absolute, quince, black musk, and galbanum". This is the apple scent that stands out to me, possible decant but it might get edged out. Just too much in one update and I can't try everything! The Changeling...."Blonde wood, linen swaddling, pumpkin rind, and bourbon vanilla". Too tantalizing to pass up. Probably a decant. Expressive Head...."Teakwood, patchouli, green pepper, clove, white cognac, vetiver, and champaca absolute". Possible decant.....undecided.....could be good but might not work for me. Wild card. Muse Of The Night...."A soft, resinous indigo musk with black currant, ylang ylang, Tunisian jasmine, opoponax, rose otto, benzoin, Tahitian vanilla bean, and opium tar". I'm in love with the painting, and so I want a decant. The Night Hag Visiting The Lapland Witches...."Black sandalwood, woodsmoke, Terebinth pine, blue cypress, styrax, frankincense, chamomile maroc, and nutmeg". Very curious, but it could be too strong or sharp. Makes me think of Montauk Project which I have and don't wear. Probable decant because it has huge potential. Nightmare...."Vanilla-soaked linen accord with lavender, opium poppy, Moroccan jasmine, golden amber, white honey, and blackened fruit gums". Very curious, very promising, probably a decant. Post-Mortem Laureatus...."White sandalwood and twining ivy". The thing I like about this, is that the will-call reviews so far are all over the place. It's like everyone smelled a different scent. And I like the notes so this is another probable decant. Sentimental Initiation...."Red and black musks with bamboo, myrrh, bitter clove, patchouli, vanilla orchid, and king mandarin". Another wild card but sounds promising. Undecided. The Triumph Of Death...."East Indian black patchouli, red sandalwood, dark musk, peru balsam, ambrette seed, vetiver, and ambergris accord". Again...not sure....maybe a decant. Sounds kind of 'been there done that', and I'm interested in some different things this time around. The Gorobble....."A scent redolent of the crusty exterior of burnt marshmallows". Interesting, possible decant but I'm more interested in the burnt part than the marshmallow part. Undecided but possible decant. The Seekim...."Cacao absolute, hay, black pepper, patchouli, and incense ash". Very, very interested. The description makes me think L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme, or Serge Lutens' Chergui, because of the cacao and hay. So, I'm excited that this could be an elegant unisex perfume. Probably a decant. The Ta-Ta...."Boiled leather, carnation blossom, coffee absolute, and tobacco". Could be a hidden gem....not much into leather scents but there is potential for this to work for me. Watching reviews for now.

So it's that time of year again, the thrills don't stop until Lupers, and sometimes not even then! There's just something wonderful about sitting down to a brand new bpal Halloween update, ready to break it down. This is just one of my favorite things! Onward..... A Nocturnal Reverie...."Violet musk and oudh with black amber, ambergris, agarwood, black currant, dark musk, fig, and lavender incense". It's funny, I have been wishing for an elegant, chic, purple incense kind of scent, and what do you know....seems like this could be it! I'm pretty sure I need to try this. Probably a decant, first. Araw Ng Mga Patay....."A cheerful, raucous celebration of life and death: bouquets overflowing with gerbera daisies, waling waling, sampaguita, ylang ylang, hibiscus, night-blooming dama de noche, santan, and everlasting flower with piles upon piles of bibingka, ube halaya, rice muffins, champorado, purple yam cake, and turon, and plates of gooey kalabasa leche flan". Okay, I don't know what most of those notes are. The description makes me think of Diwali, which I do like, but hardly ever wear. I think I can let this one pass, there are many more grabbing my attention. Autumn Cider...."Fermented apple juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove, lemon zest, butterscotch liquor, and orange slices". Not sure about this, sounds very rich, and I don't think I'd like a butterscotch liquor note. I have full bottles of Egg Moon, Spicebush Swallowtail, and Plunder, Blood....and probably other spice scents I'm not remembering. I think I can let this one pass. Boo 2011....."Eerie billows of spun sugar, fluttering white cotton, and sheets of cream". Not really of interest to me but I would sniff it if someone handed it to me! Devil's Night 2011...."This is the scent of autumn night, fires in the distance, with a touch of boozy swoon, playful sugar and thuggish musk". I love Devil's Night but I never wear it! I still have a mostly full bottle from 2006, and 2 decants from other years, so I think I can pass. But I might like a decant just to compare to other 'vintages'. Elegy IX: The Autumnal....."Red maplewood, plum leaves, fir needle, wildflower honey, patchouli, hazelnut, and green cognac". Something about this list of notes is quite seductive to me! There are a couple of 'iffy' notes but I love taking a risk and being sweetly rewarded. This is a possible blind buy for me, considering it. Ghosts In Love....."White sandalwood, tobacco flower, lily of the valley, white carnation, and magnolia blossom with tea rose, labdanum, and oudh". Tea rose and lily of the valley, in the same scent? This would soap me to the moon. John Barleycorn 2011....."Barley, beer, blood, and whiskey". I am going to pass on this one. No interest in a super-boozey scent. Sounds yucky to me. La Calavera Catrina....."The Lady of the Graveyard! Autumn leaves, wild roses, bourbon vanilla, dry chamomile, and a bouquet of bright chrysanthemums and Mexican marigolds". Hmmm.....probably a pass for me, just because of the roses, but I wouldn't mind sniffing it if the opportunity presented. Le Revenant....."A shroud of gardenia, narcissus, and sandalwood with ambrette seed, white cognac, muguet, davana, and white musk". Hmmm.....probably not for me, but I am attracted to the elegant vibe. Mictecacihuatl 2011..."Copal, precious woods, South American spices, agave nectar, cigar tobacco, and roses". I tried this before and it's not bad, but just a little too much rose for me to truly enjoy. Pass for now. Nothing But Death....."A dark purple river swelling with tears of rain, damp violets, and specks of bone thick with green scents that speak of mortality: black dried fruits, opopponax, moss, violet leaf and petal, tobacco absolute, saltwater accord, niaouli, and brushed sage". Hmm, more purple incense-y chic? With saltwater? Sounds very interesting, but I think a decant first would be prudent! October 2011...."Dry, cold autumn wind. A rustle of red leaves, a touch of smoke and sap in the air". I love October, have a bottle from the first time it was released, and just never wear it, for some stupid reason. I'm tempted to get another bottle but I think it might be edged out by other new stuff. Pumpkin Latte 2011...."Espresso, pumpkin syrup, smoky vanilla bean, milk, raw sugar, and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg". I have a decant from last year and I think I tried it twice. Maybe I should try it again but it's not the kind of scent I'm after this year. It was too strong and sweet. Pumpkin Princess....."Bright, sweet pumpkin with vanilla fluff, guava, chocolate-dusted white amber, tiare, red currant, raw honey, and meringue". So cute! I'd love a decant, but I know I don't need a whole bottle. Samhain 2011...."Truly the scent of autumn itself -- damp woods, fir needle, and black patchouli with the gentlest touches of warm pumpkin, clove, nutmeg, allspice, sweet red apple and mullein". I have been thinking about another bottle for my collection, one of the few scents that I have multiple bottles (and decants, too). I don't wear it much but it truly is....the scent of autumn itself. Probably one of my top 5 bpal scents, ever. Samhainophobia 2011....."Menacing Haitian vetiver, patchouli, and clove with a shock of bourbon geranium, grim oakmoss, and dread-inspiring balsams pierce the innocuous scent of autumn leaves". I have a bottle from 2006, and I have worn it quite a few times, and always end up getting tired of it. It's very strong and lasts and lasts. There's something not quite right to me, and maybe it's the geranium, because I usually don't like that note. Who knows, but I think I'll pass. Sonnet D'Automne...."Tenebrous Love: a shivering white musk with vanilla-infused white cocoa, amber incense, and dead, dry leaves". Oh, this sounds beautiful. In my mind I'm convinced that it will be great! Seriously thinking of a whole bottle, unsniffed. The Vampire Bride...."Icy skin touched by a perfume of violet leaf, white tea, olibanum, elemi, myrrh, wormwood, crypt dust, and saffron with a dribble of blood red musk". Hmmm, very interesting, but I'm having trouble imagining how those notes will all fit together. I'm intrigued. I may have to find a decant. The Nymphae Avernales...."The nymphs of the Underworld: pomegranate, lilac musk, red rose, red sandalwood, honey, and frankincense". I am not a big fan of pomegranate, and with the red rose I guess I can skip this one. Regina Erebi...."The Queen of Hell: pomegranate, spear mint, black mulberry, and myrrh". I'm weirdly attracted to this, even though I don't like the smell of spearmint, and myrrh is about the only note listed that I do like. Thinking about a decant, for some strange reason. Askalaphos...."The daimon that tends the orchards of the Underworld: pomegranate, wonder-flowers, asphodel, and black soil". I am pretty sure I can pass on this one! The Silver Apple Of The Moon...."White apple with orris, agave nectar, moonflower, white sandalwood, and lotus root". Not a big fan of apple scents, but I do like white sandalwood, and I think I like moonflower but I'm not sure. Sounds like it could be soapy or too floral. I'm undecided on this one. The Golden Apple Of The Sun...."Golden apple with amber, hibiscus, carnation, frankincense, golden spiced tea, ginger, and champaca flower". Mixed feeling on this one....I like the list of notes but at the same time, I feel like it's a kind of scent I've smelled before and never end up liking much. Undecided. The Black Apple Of Saturn...."Dried Arkansas black apple, opoponax, cypress, myrrh, tobacco absolute, quince, black musk, and galbanum". The most interesting of the apple scents to me, this is a possible decant. Not sure yet. The Green Apple Of Venus...."Sweet green apple, apple blossom, sweet strawberry, pink pomegranate, violet leaf, tea rose, and red sandalwood". Never have wanted a scent with strawberry, and not a fan of tea rose either. I shall pass! The Glittering Apple Of The Stars...."Heirloom Malus, ylang ylang, white and blue musks, crystallized vanilla, tiare, frangipani, and bergamot". Not much of interest to me here. I'll skip it. The Changeling...."Blonde wood, linen swaddling, pumpkin rind, and bourbon vanilla". I'm kind of interested in how these play together, and I may seek out a decant. Death Embraces A Young Maiden...."Three dry white sandalwoods with gurjum balsam, guiac wood, ambergris accord, and tea rose". Gurjum balsam sounds like something that has turned out bad before, and paired with tea rose I'm going to say........pass. Expressive Head...."Teakwood, patchouli, green pepper, clove, white cognac, vetiver, and champaca absolute". Wow. That's quite an image! And quite a weird list of notes. Maybe a decant. Garden Of Death...."A harvest of plants that symbolize death in myriad cultures: belladonna accord, iris petals, red poppy, acanthus, manioc, parsley, yam, urd bean, chrysanthemum, acacia, and cypress wood rooted in dark, rich loam". Hmmm....I dunno. Sounds very complex and I'm not really feelin' it, for some reason. But for all I know it might be awesome. Undecided. An Incubus Leaving Two Sleeping Women...."Vanilla-infused white honey, magnolia, skin musk, ylang ylang, and beeswax with patchouli, olibanum, kurundu, and a feral brown musk". Ylang ylang and brown musk are a turn off, and together the whole list of notes sounds....odd to me. Undecided for sure but probably I will pass. La Morte: Mon ironie depasse toutes les autres!....."Pomegranate accord, red rose accord, opopponax, benzoin, champaca flowers, and star anise". Not really interested in pomegranate and rose. The Mandrake Charm...."Mandrake root, olibanum, myrrh, hyssop, basil linalool, and lemongrass". I think I'll probably pass, but I'm not completely sure. It could be great. Sounds kind of like a spring scent to me? Come to think of it, a lot of these Halloweenies sound kind of springy. Undecided. Muse Of The Night...."A soft, resinous indigo musk with black currant, ylang ylang, Tunisian jasmine, opoponax, rose otto, benzoin, Tahitian vanilla bean, and opium tar". That painting is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. But I just can't get excited about the notes. I might have to get a decant just because I love the art. The Night Hag Visiting The Lapland Witches...."Black sandalwood, woodsmoke, Terebinth pine, blue cypress, styrax, frankincense, chamomile maroc, and nutmeg". This is the kind of thing I was after last year, and before that....but now it makes me think of The Montauk Project which I never wear. Undecided but I may get a decant. Nightmare...."Vanilla-soaked linen accord with lavender, opium poppy, Moroccan jasmine, golden amber, white honey, and blackened fruit gums". Ah yes, a very familiar painting, it reminds me of the movie Gothic. This is what I love about all the Salon scents....I want to smell this concept in a perfume. Might be a decant. Post-Mortem Laureatus...."White sandalwood and twining ivy". I always love the idea of the dual-note scents! And I happen to like these two notes, so this is absolutely worth a try. Probably a decant. Sentimental Initiation...."Red and black musks with bamboo, myrrh, bitter clove, patchouli, vanilla orchid, and king mandarin". Could be great but I don't know....I might like a decant just to try. The notes sound like they don't really go together for some reason. Maybe a decant. The Triumph Of Death...."East Indian black patchouli, red sandalwood, dark musk, peru balsam, ambrette seed, vetiver, and ambergris accord". The list of notes does sound great, except I think balsam sometimes turns against me. Still, this is definitely worth a try and I might get a decant. The Gorobble....."A scent redolent of the crusty exterior of burnt marshmallows". Strange....interesting.....kind of want a decant, but my decant list is getting long..... The Seekim...."Cacao absolute, hay, black pepper, patchouli, and incense ash". Another very interesting list of notes. I may have to try it. Sounds clever and weird, maybe something really different. The Ta-Ta...."Boiled leather, carnation blossom, coffee absolute, and tobacco". More weird notes.....this one is not calling to me. The notes don't sound good together but I will watch reviews. The Two-Tailed Sogg...."Pink grapefruit, swamp moss, green musk, orris root, cypress, and honey". More weirdness. Maybe not for me. The Wiley Grasser...."Pine needles, wildflowers, and cotton candy". Too, too weird. I kind of want to sniff this but I doubt I'd end up liking it? Maybe?? The Zoom...."Lime juice, bergamot, Himalayan cedarwood, helichrysum, and dragon’s blood resin". Okay, getting to the end of this breakdown and my mind is a little worn out from all the possibilities!! This one is just not calling to me. Not a huge fan of cedar and I don't really feel like a citrus scent right now. I'll watch reviews and perhaps change my mind. Blood Moon 2011...."A Lunacy inspired by the magnificently morbid fantasies of Edgar Allan Poe: laudanum-stained linen scented by an ink-smeared tobacco musk and phantom bloodstains illuminated by monstrous moonlight". Blood Moon has been hit-and-miss for me, and this one looks to be totally unrelated to the previous ones? So, I'm just not sure. This is one of those wild cards that I may order at the last minute just because I don't want it to get past me. I am attracted by the description, I have to admit.

Black Pearl is powdery to me, and Blood Pearl also, if I remember correctly. I got a baby powder comment when I wore Snake Oil, once or twice. Nyarlathotep turns very powdery on me, after drying for a while. At first I didn't like this but I kept wearing it and grew to love it. In fact, it may have been Nyarlathotep that made me realize I like some powdery scents. Discontinued but Silk Road also turns powdery on me when it dries down. I keep saying "to me" because, like someone else mentioned, this could be a skin chemistry thing, or maybe it's a matter of our perception of 'powdery'. I remember someone commenting that patchouli turns powdery on them, and I was like....huh? But if they are perceiving it that way, I can't argue with that.

Finally got a bottle of this, one of my favorites! Gave myself a pretty intensive application today to get the full experience, as before I only had a 2.5 ml sample. Well, what to say, how to describe this. It's a very 'me' scent, woody, spicy, kind of sweet, also deep, dark and....almost smoldering. Not really an incense, but it has a quality of incense about it. The notes listed are "pine needles, vetiver, incense, fruit, spices, fir balsam, amber". So yeah.....there is a feeling of pine but in no way sharp or cleanser-like. Add to it sugary fruits, but not candy-like....more of a sweetened boozy fruitcake with pine and resins, maybe frankincense? I dunno it just smells damn good. I applied pretty heavily and this seems to be a scent that stays close to the skin. There aren't any "high pitched" notes. According to the box it is eau de parfum strength and in my experience, the stronger concentration of scents seem to stay closer to the skin. That's what my Bois des Iles does, anyway. It's somewhat closer to the way perfume oil behaves on the skin and in the air around me. I love this so much and it just hums in a quiet way....I can't imagine ever feeling like I put on too much. I don't think I'd fill up a whole room with this one, sillage-wise. Anyway, so glad to finally have a bottle! Just in time for late summer going into fall. Beautiful.

Ah yes.....the legendary Kouros. I bought a small bottle, totally untested, just based on the infamy of this fragrance. It's a love-it-or-hate-it scent, those who love it praise it to the high heavens, and those who hate it invariably mention bodily waste (human or animal, often cat) when describing it. It's pretty cheap and apparently being discontinued, so I went for it. First try was.....alarming. At first, I smelled a sort of dated men's fragrance, something from the eighties, nothing too earth-shattering. Then, as it warmed up and dried on my skin, I smelled......the elephant house at the zoo. There's a large part of men's cologne, and up close, there is a large part of elephant dung. Interestingly, this didn't totally turn me off the scent, but I didn't think I'd be wearing it again. Very animalic if I understand the term correctly. Well, fast forward to tonight, and I'm just sitting at home doing laundry. I wanted to try something unusual and it doesn't get much more unusual than Kouros, so I gave it a second try. Yep, the elephant house is still there. But, what's this? I am liking this? Wow, I can see how this fragrance can be addicting, and I think I actually like it! The scent hasn't changed, it's just so.....intimate? I don't know, just compelling and weird, and I am now glad I have a bottle. I think I'll have to try Body Kouros too.

Tativa....it has been a few years but I tried the golden champa. I think I had a sample of the 10% dilution, and I remember it really did smell "golden" and struck me as autumnal. I thought it had a touch of honey or apple-like qualities as well. I know there must be a bpal that is comparable but I'm not big on the floral blends, and I'm sure someone else would have better suggestions. Right off the top of my head, I want to say Ulalume might be similar, but that doesn't seem quite right. Hmmm.....I'll think about it some more and I'll be watching the topic, too. Good luck!

Fourreau Noir by Serge Lutens......tonka bean, lavender, musk, almond, smoky accents When I first put this on I could tell right away that it's an unusual, striking creation. I wasn't sure if I actually liked it but, like many other Lutens perfumes, that didn't seem to matter.....just the experience of trying it reminds me of why I got into this habit. So, up close, Fourreau Noir is a little scary, almost harsh and chemical smelling. It reminds me of hot rubber or maybe leather. But the throw is quite beautiful and I think I mostly get the lavender, but the musk is very nice too. It's almost like what I wanted from Miel de Bois, but in the end couldn't love that one. But I do love this. It also reminds me a bit of the tonka in my beloved Chene but this is more.....what's the word....not really sinister, but more like this has a dark secret. This is more of a dressy occasion type of scent. *sigh* Only problem is, there are already at least 3 other Lutens that I want full bottles of! Guess I have to add this to the list!

I am more and more impressed the more I try from this house. I love Declaration, which I first heard about here on the bpal forum, when someone compared October to it. I see the similarity. Anyway, here's what I've tried. There are lots of flankers so it can be hard to keep track. Notes are from fragrantica.com. Declaration....."Top notes are artemisia, caraway, coriander, birch, mandarin orange, bergamot, neroli and bitter orange; middle notes are orris, ginger, cinnamon, pepper, juniper, orris root, jasmine and guatemalan cardamom; base notes are leather, amber, tea, tahitian vetiver, oakmoss and cedar" Wow....just reading the notes, I didn't know all that was in this scent. I didn't love this at first. I thought it was okay, but kind of faint, and kind of unfocused. But as often happens, I was drawn to try it again, and again, and eventually I realized what a beautiful scent it really is. Woods and spices are what I smell, but very light and breezy, kind of like a wind before a storm at the end of summer. Gorgeous. Declaration Essence....."orange blossom, sandalwood, amber, lavender, musk, tea, lime, vetiver, geranium and lemon" I have a mini of this too, and so far have only tried it once. It seems to be sort of like the concentree of Declaration, stronger spices, although the notes don't seem to match up with what I'm smelling. I'll be wearing it again but I do think I like the original Declaration better. Eau de Cartier....."Top notes are coriander, yuzu and bergamot; middle notes are violet leaf, lavender and violet; base notes are cedar, patchouli, musk and white amber" Beautiful, but I've only tested it once. Very, very light and I think I would have to over-apply to get the right amount. Weird accord that, again, doesn't match up with what I read in the description, or rather, I can't pick out individual notes. Just crisp and smart, very nice. Eau de Cartier Concentree......"Top notes are coriander and yuzu; middle notes are violet leaf and lavender; base notes are cedar, patchouli and white amber" Huh. Do they really have the same notes? They are similar but the concentree is definitely stronger and longer lasting. I think I'm more likely to buy a larger bottle of this one, very crisp and refreshing, but with the stronger scent comes a little bit of synthetic feeling. I think I favor this one. Must Cartier Pour Homme Essence...."Yet another beautiful and very light fragrance, this one seems a little more traditional, more suited to the office. I like it but it's so light that I'm left feeling a little slighted. I'll wear the rest of my mini but probably not get a bigger bottle. Yet to try but very interested in: Eau de Cartier Essence d'Orange...."op notes of Eau de Cartier Essence d`Orange bring us a sparkling, luminous cocktail of oranges and bergamot. A heart encompasses sophisticated violets, while a base is enriched with patchouli along with warm and sensual cedar" Sounds beautiful and I'm really thinking about going straight to a big bottle on this one. I love citrus and I've been really in the mood for it, with the hotter weather. Definitely need to try this one!

Just like the title says. The Carnaval is leaving for a hiatus until maybe later this year. I'm getting a little panicky at the thought of these going bye-bye. These are my possible purchases, out of the whole Carnaval..... Doc Constantine....."Sheer musk, cedar smoke, fir needle, black amber and leather" I have a partial bottle, and hardly ever wear it. I think I may have enough. I do love this blend, but maybe it will be reformulated when it's brought back, and that is more exciting to me than getting a new bottle right now. The Parliament of Monsters....."Dust, incense, wet tobacco, and a curl of opium smoke" I had a decant once upon a time, but swapped it away because I didn't love it, and ever since then I've been just a little curious. Maybe I should give it another chance? Possibly, but I think I'll pass for now. Faiza, the Black Mamba....."A sensual blend of twisting, exotic, serpentine oils: black amber, caraway, oakmoss, green sandalwood, bergamot, jasmine sambac, gardenia, orange pulp, vanilla, blackberry, black musk, white honey, ti leaf, and ginger" Another one that I used to have a decant of but swapped away. I remember it as being complex, lush, and fruity, almost like a deeper cousin of Men Ringing Bells? But there was some funky note that rubbed me wrong. Still, this is the kind of thing I've been in the mood for lately, so it's a possibility. Stormclouds Over the Midway....."Thunder-charged ozone, plum-colored incense smoke, opium tar, and wormwood" I tried my decant the other day, and it's much better than I remembered, but still didn't last very long. I think I like Midnight On the Midway just a little better and I have plenty of that. The Torture Queen...."White amber, vanilla musk, white tea, ambergris, gardenia, and chrome" I think I tried this briefly at Moonarcana's house. Still calling to me, although I haven't done anything about it as of yet! Really should just buy it and be done with it. Sir Hugh Ockram's Winding Sheet....."Rotting linen, white sandalwood, hyssop, and dust" This has never really been on my radar and I've never even sniffed it. Looking now at the description, I think I stand a chance of really liking it. Hmmmm.... ......and that's it. I do want to get Egle as well, so it would be a 2 bottle order of Egle and something from the Carnaval. I think I have about 3 hours to decide..... : /

Rated on an "interest scale" of 1-5 Brood XIX...."Tree sap, hay, almond blossoms, moss, hemp, corn stalks, acorn, sweet amber, and rice milk" Well, I don't like nut notes, but other than that I'm fairly interested. I'd love a dry summery scent and this looks like a fancy, lighter relative of Scarecrow (which I already have a bottle of and hardly ever wear). Worth a decant, for sure. 4/5 Atlas...."Mallow, oak bark, coffee bean, hinoki wood, and khus" I haven't grown to love The Arabian Dance as of yet, and that's what this list of notes reminds me of, even though they only share the coffee. But this does look even more promising than that.....I'm all about woods, usually. Preliminary reviews are saying the mallow adds sweetness, and I'm not sure if that would be good or not for me. Bottom line.....worth a decant. 4/5 Brahmin...."Rose otto, red ginger, caraway seed, myrrh, orange peel, mandarin leaf, black peppercorn, and vanilla orchid" Without the rose this would be sort of intriguing, but the rose kind of turns me off. Could be worth a sniff but I'm not actively seeking it. 2/5 Io....."Red musk, pomegranate, cranberry, blackberry, mango, purple sage, thyme, and angelica root" Too much non-citrus fruit, not really my thing. 2/5 Pussy....."Orange blossom honey, brown sugar, saffron, tonka absolute, and tobacco leaf" I am over my aversion to honey, and I will try it in the right combination with other notes. That said, this could be sultry and sexy, or it could be too sweet and cloying. Worth a try, for sure. 3/5 Blue Morpho...."Wild orchid, pikake, honeysuckle, calla lily, agave nectar, pink geranium, violet leaf, and white amber" I like violet leaf and white amber, I think, but I don't like lily or geranium. Think I'll pass on this one. 2/5 Goliath Birdwing....."White sage, lemongrass, lemon balm, dusty beige musk, and drops of anise" Sounds beautiful, and I think I need to try this! I just hope it's not too one-dimensional with all that lemony goodness. Mourning Cloak....."Opoponax, kumaru, cocoa butter, Mysore sandalwood, verbena, almond milk, guiac wood, beeswax, and myrrh" I do not like the smell of cocoa butter, but the other notes sound good. Not sure about this one but it's worth a try. 3/5 Purple Spotted Swallowtail....."Black plum, opium poppy, dusky amber, opoponax, castoreum accord, dried berries, tolu balsam, clove bud, and lime" This is kind of a wild card, because it could be really good, but I just can't imagine what it's like. I really have no clue but I'd like to try it. 4/5