forspecial_plate

Yeah, the labels are the same - I'll have to check next time I'm at will call which one is out. I really do prefer the golden one more, it's a little softer and more Storyville like than the red variety. They really are different scents! From our handy-dandy Label Image Gallery....... The original label, from the Springtime In Arkham series Resurrected bottle .....I bought the 2nd bottle of those two as soon as the scent was resurrected (somewhere around Nov of '06), so it's possible the label has been changed again, since the other GC labels have been revamped. It's also worth noting that before it was brought to the GC, this was one of those super-coveted-by-many scents that was really hard to get a hold of! To me, the original and newer GC versions look and smell the same.

I'm kind of relieved......I think I'm all caught up on my ordering, at least until I get to try my Yule decants (then the madness starts all over again). I am resisting the urge to order a bottle of Meditation In Autumn. I wore it again today, and I realized it smells like November, only greener, with less snow. It does have a bit of icy bite, somehow. But the resemblance to November is close enough that I don't think I really need a whole bottle after all. If, however, someone were to offer a swap, I certainly would take it. I am excited to try the Yule blends, still have to track down a decant of Mole, but other than that, I'm all caught up on decants I want to try. I absolutely can't wait for my bottle of Fearful Pleasure to arrive, but it looks like I still have over a week, at least. Hurryhurryhurry!

Oh my gosh, I just now found this! I ended up liking Fearful Pleasure, but I think I might like To Autumn even more. : ) I like the spicy/mossy element, and it really comes out in To Autumn.

How strange, but interesting......at first I smell some fruits, kind of clean like the apricot in Ebisu. But the slightly buttery pumpkin is there too. After a while, I would swear that I smell nuts, maybe pecans. I don't think it's the coconut, but I'm really not sure....maybe just a combination of the pumpkin and myrrh, doing something strange? I don't know, but when I read this: ......that association got into my head, and I would have to agree! It's like a sweet potato casserole with brown sugar and pecan topping. Wow. I really don't smell coconut or myrrh, even when I try. So, bottom line, this is yummy and sweet, but not quite what the description says, to my nose. And jewelbug, I totally agree with your DH. : ) Sweet potato casserole with nuts. Maybe it's a guy thing.

No. 93 Engine is pretty interesting. It starts out very herbal with resins and a very appealing, light beeswax note. I was a little wary of any kind of honey note, but the beeswax is actually really nice. I can definitely smell the frankincense, too. Overall, this reminds me a lot of Minotaur, with maybe less resins and more herbs, but a very similar golden and glowing feeling. After a long while, this scent does veer towards something sweet and powdery that reminds me of honey, but isn't quite the same. It is really interesting and something that I would consider wearing again. I like it much more in the first 30 minutes or so, as opposed to the long dry-down, but it's definitely worth holding onto. If I end up giving it away, it's because it's a little too close to honey for my taste, and also I already have Minotaur which I think smells like this. Edit: I forgot to mention, when I first put this on and it's still wet, I get a little bit of 'fizzy cola' scent, kind of like Schwarzer Mond. I wonder if there is some oppoponax in this?

At first this was too odd, and it has taken quite a while for me to dig it out and try it again. Imagine that Samhainophobia has a young niece or nephew (could be either gender, really). Cute as a button, but also cheeky as hell. That is To Autumn, to me. The subtlety of the moss, bark, mist, and leaves....all swurrled together....really make this scent for me. It's a great example of how Beth refines her skill more and more, with each new season. <3 I love her use of these odd, almost abstract notes like mist, stone, and dust to create a mood or feeling.

Dark and fruity, purple, incense. Reminds me of a few other bpal oils, all variations of a theme. After a long while, this takes on a gilded quality, or something like gold filigree. All the while, there is a slightly powdery element, but not so much that it repels me. I admire the artistry of this, but for me personally it verges on womanly (which I am not). Also, I have other fruity and/or incense scents that I prefer.

In order, roughly...... Three Gorgons Dia Flowering Chrysanthemums Lovers In A Ricefield Glukuprikos Silence (pending) Carnaval Diabolique Satan And Death With Sin Intervening Obatala

Bad Luck Woman Blues....."Keep that bad luck woman away with a blend of Spanish moss, black pepper, mullein, sweet sage, vandal root, cypress, cigar tobacco, and a puff of goofer dust cloaked by a swarthy cologne of vetiver, lime, dark musk, caramel accord, and lilac". I might totally revise my review of this one. It's almost 2 years later now, and the moss really POPS out. It's a lot of moss and caramel, with herbs and a little lime. This scent has aged incredibly well, it's one of my favorite scents in my whole collection. Even though it's limited, I do see it in sales from time to time.

Speaking of limited editions, another one worth mentioning is Chintamani-Dhupa: "Pound well together sandal-wood, Kunku, costus, Krishnaguru, Suvasika-puspha, white vala and the bark of the Deodaru pine; and, after reducing them to fine powder, mix it with honey and thoroughly dry. It is now known as Chintamani-Dhupa, the "thought-mastering incense". It's from a couple years ago, and based on reviews it didn't seem to be hugely popular, but I really love it. It may be more of an incense scent, but the woods are very much present when I wear it......sandalwood comes out much more than pine bark, to my nose. And it's one of my favorite sandalwood scents. Also, I usually don't like honey, but somehow it doesn't bother me in this one. Worth a try if you don't object to a more exotic scent, reminiscent of Indian incense (and if you can find it..... ).

I am a dork. I typed out Perilous Parlour in my post up above, but I really meant Forbidding Foyer. I am so glad, FsP that you brought me to my senses. *runs off to fix mistake* It crossed my mind that you might have meant F.F. instead of P.P..... Then I was trying to remember if P.P. had wood in it.....? Anyway, glad to be of use! : )

The Forbidding Foyer is old, polished wood, right down to a whiff of ancient furniture polish. Sounds totally odd for a perfume but it really grew on me. It's great for feeling cozy on a rainy, blustery day.

When I first tried this, it was so odd that I put it away and sort of forgot about it for a few months. I recently tried it again and realized that I really like it. I get absolutely no leather, whatsoever, which is why I was so puzzled when I first put it on. What I mostly smell is vetiver, dry and herbal, a little on the green side. It reminds me a lot of Devil's Claw. Then much later, it smells like sandalwood. I know, totally weird and not matching the description (or other reviews for that matter), but that's what my nose is telling me. And as it turns out, it's a scent I really like, so it was a happy surprise.

Deep, fruity, and sweet, not one of the fruits stands out to me individually in this scent. I had no expectations either way, so I was happy that this smells so good. For comparisons, it reminds me a little of Bloody Mary, and also one of the Possets kitties, but I can't remember which one (Maude, w/out the greenery?). I shall enjoy this scent again, and I'm glad it came along with my set of decants.

High drama in the ED tonight, but nothing new. We get homeless and/or destitute people who come in with a minor complaint, then after they are discharged they want to stay here in the waiting room for the rest of the night. It's cold outside and they either don't have anywhere to go, or don't have a way to get there. We do have cab vouchers for people, but the charge nurse is usually particular about giving them. I understand their point of view, because once you start giving them out, people want them all the time, every time they come here. So sometimes, people are told no, you cannot have a cab voucher. But then they want to stay in our waiting area, which they can't do. So security gets involved, and they will give a cab voucher to anyone, going anywhere. Another issue is they are only supposed to go to the address listed in their account (their home address). And some of them don't have a home address. So it becomes like a big puzzle. And I am kind of stuck in the middle of it, getting complained at by all sides. I am okay with whatever they decide, but it's not really up to me, so I just sit here looking kind of dumb.

Wow, I guess it's my turn in the barrel for forum problems tonight. I've had hour-long stretches where I couldn't get anywhere, because the page just kept loading and loading.....eeeeever so slowly. Apparently it has been going around lately. In other news, fingers are crossed because my requests are in for the last 4 Lupercalia decants that I wanted to try. Still waiting to hear if they're available or not. I had thought about risking a bottle unsniffed again this time, but the choice is just too hard. I want to try them first. As usual, excited as heck about pending decants! More later if I am still this bored.....

[i will periodically copy and past my wish-list, because I edit it pretty often and sometimes like to look at old versions] Bold type just means I have a particular interest, or higher priority for that scent. I try to update this pretty often.... 5ml interests...or partials, I love partials! : ) A Blade Of Grass Baron Samedi Carceri d'Invenzione Carnaval Diabolique Cloister Graveyard In The Snow Great Sword Of War Obatala Satan and Death With Sin Intervening Scales Of Deprivation Theodosius Three Gorgons Wood Phoenix GC imps that I want (imps/decants would be delightful) Aelopile Baghdad Bensiabel Black Hellebore Brisingamen Bruised Violet Compound The Caterpillar Deep In Earth Frumious Bandersnatch Hanging Gardens Hecate Imp Inferno Intrigue Jersey Devil Kill-Devil Lampades Libertine Love's Torments Lyonesse Mary Read Nero Niflheim No. 93 Engine Nostrum Remedium The Phantom Wooer Port Royal Queen of Sheba Rome Santo Domingo The Sea Foams Blood Serpents With Glittering Eyes And Forky Tongues Strangler Fig Sundew Sybaris Thorns To A Woman Tushnamatay Verdandi The Witch's Garden 'Set Only' imps/unimpables I would like (imps or decants) The Ecstacy of St. Theresa Famine Haloes The House The Ifrit La Vague Lucretia Madonna Parsifal Silence Three Brides Three Gorgons LE/Trading Post/etc Decants ISO any testable amount 413 U.S. 15/Miller Vs. California The Blood Garden The Bloody Sword Cagliostro The Chapel The Contract Of Theophilus Of Adana The Cracked Bell Damnation Humbug Knucklebones Long Night Moon Moana Pumpkin Patch III (2007) Scattered Gloom Shill Tupapau Uncertain Horror Upa Upa Virgo 2007 Yule Single Notes dream list (decants) Ambergris, Black Cherry, Black Musk, Black Poppy, Cherry, Licorice Bark, Light Myrrh, Oakmoss, Red Musk, Red Mysore Sandalwood, Redwood, Siberian Musk, Tonka Bean, White Sandalwood

I've never been completely clear on the concept, but I always think of Wilde and Vicomte De Valmont. More recently Herbert West made me think "chypre" when I wore it. And maybe Dracul? These are all more towards the "masculine" end of the spectrum, but that's a matter of opinion I guess. : )

Sometimes I wonder why I keep trying these earth/soil blends, then I remember Jolasveinar......and Premature Burial......and sometimes even Zombi. Anyway, I do like some of them. And then there's Graveyard Dirt, and Badger, which just don't work for me. Earth Phoenix falls somewhere in the middle. It almost works for me, especially in the drying-down stage. And I do happen to like it enough to keep my decant. But I probably won't reach for it a whole lot. The dirt note is strong in the beginning, but I could tell there is more complexity....it's not just single-note dirt. As it dries, more of the backing notes come out, and it becomes a deep, dark, slightly fruity scent, with a solid streak of soil. I usually like jasmine, depending on what's paired with it, and I also like cherry.....actually, I like all the notes, even though I'm not sure what snakeweed is. But this isn't really a scent that I could pick apart (even though I always try). The cherry does come out, and I think I can smell plum and jasmine too. But otherwise, it's just all blended together. I should add, jasmine usually does not take over every other note on my skin, like it does for some many people. I could see myself being in the mood for this every so often, maybe on a rainy day, or when I'm just in the mood for something completely different. So I'll be happy to hold onto my decant (unless I happen to change my mind, lol). Edit: I'm glad someone mentioned Queen Of Clubs a few posts back, because that did give me kind of a reference point.

This scent is very rich to me, very strong too. Somehow it doesn't quite work out for me and I'm not sure why, because I thought I liked all the notes here. It's just a little too powerful and kind of masculine/aftershavey (which is okay sometimes, and other times turns me off). I think I'll hold onto my decant for a while longer, because who knows what a little aging might do. Overall, it's so well blended that I can't really pick out individual notes, except maybe some of the incense and fruit/berry (although to be honest, I'm not even sure what sea buckthorn berry smells like...). I think it has potential, and maybe it will calm down a little with some aging.

Right now I'm leaning towards Snake Oil or Carceri D'Invenzione. I wish I could find my decant of Guhlheim, it seems to have vanished. : /

Oooh, I really like this scent. Warm and slightly spicy, with some musk, and of course woods, but I can't really recognize any specific wood notes. When I first put it on, I can just pick out a little of the bamboo shoots, just a hint of aquatic in the mix. I admit I was worried about the fig, because in Lucifer it turned into banana (which isn't terrible, just not very Lucifer-like ). But in Wood Phoenix, the fig and walnut just add a nearly foody aspect to the blend, making this almost like a warm spicy nut-bread that would scent your whole kitchen in a beautiful way. But there is also that wood and the other perfumey elements, keeping this from being a totally foody scent. Basically, it's warm, slightly musky and spicy, complex, and just a little sweet. I actually love it, between this and Fire Phoenix I'm considering bottles of both. Wood Phoenix is versatile....it's quiet and dignified, so that I can wear it to work (which I am right now), but it would also work for a weekend night out.

I'm so annoyed! I was thinking Ghûlheim might be great for NYE, and I wanted to try it again today, but I can't find my decant anywhere! I searched for over an hour, and there aren't that many places it could be. Somehow I think my cats are behind it. Although, to be fair, I spent a couple hours the other day re-organizing all of my imps/decants, so it could also be my own stupidity.

Yeah, I remembered you like Death Adder....that is more dry and husky, but I can really pick out the coconut in both. When I first tried Death Adder it reminded me a lot of Snake Charmer. I think Snake Charmer is more smoke/resin, with that dark plum note as well that adds a slight fruit element. I think it's a safe bet for you. : ) Besides, I think it would be relatively easy to swap or sell....usually I cringe when people say that, but Snake Charmer is pretty popular. Edit: Just out of curiosity, I searched for "feminine" and "masculine" in the Snake Charmer reviews. I came up with 6 that said "feminine", "like Snake Oil but more feminine", etc.....and 1 vote for "too masculine for me". Still, I think it could work for either a guy or girl, just depending on one's taste.

Edit: Short answer: Yes, I think it can work for a guy. I wear it, and I'm a guy. It really depends on your tastes, though. (longer answer below....) ... Do you like Snake Oil, Death Adder, or Mme. Moriarty? If you like those, I'd say there's a real good chance you may also like Snake Charmer. Opinions vary but I find it really is its own scent, so to speak, but with similarities to those other ones. When I first tried it, I wasn't sure if I could pull it off. It's not that it's feminine.....actually, it's not really masculine either, IMO, it's pretty much gender-neutral. But on my skin, it's really strong and I can only wear little dabs of it. But I do love the smell of it! I think there's a more popular opinion that it's like a lighter cousin of Snake Oil, but for me it's stronger than Snake Oil. Anyway, I like it enough that I've hoarded 3 decants of the older Snake Charmer, and I have a bottle of the resurrected S.C. on the way. It's a really special scent that I don't wear all the time, but there are situations where it really fits. Hope that helps a little.