VetchVesper

@Laughing Seagull If you are trying to narrow down notes that you like, you might focus on fragrances with small lists of notes. For patchouli, I'd recommend The Coiled Serpent. It's got a strong, classic patchouli that will let you know if you really dig the note. Even if it's not your thing, I wouldn't toss patch out the window completly. You might like it when it's sweeter and in small doses. Snake Oil has a bit in there. Anne Bonny features a strong red patchouli note, which smells a bit different, so you might try that as well. I'd recommend The Lion as a good example of amber, as well as Haunted, which features a prominant black musk.  Light of Men's Lives has prominant beeswax. 

Just based off your likes, I'd suggest Eden (though it does have sandalwood), Y'ha-nthlei, Kumari-Kandem, Brisigamen, Shub-Niggurath (dry ginger), White Rabbit (sharp ginger), Baobhan Sith , Black Pheonix & Hecate (I think both have almond and myrrh), Tavern of Hell, Goblin (if you decide you like patch), maybe Fighter or Paladin to see if you like leather? Centzon Totochtin (chocolate, wine, AND 400 rabbits) Vial of Holy Water (based of you liking Lightning and possibly lavander)

ETA - It seems crazy to me that Kabuki smelled masculine to you. 😝  It's strait up sticky, red candy on me. It could be you are just not a licorice fan, but it might also be that red musk doesn't play well with you. You might check out a few more red musk blends and see how they take. 

Keep in mind, a lot of folks sell discounted GC imps on the sales page. Happy sniffing!

25 minutes ago, Madame Mew said:

 

I've been MIA! I've been on the yoga train daily, either 30, 45 or 60 mins. I worked out in Please Scream Inside Your Snake Oil, and loved that. It's really the only one of note recently. Shit, did I do that one already? No. Okay. Scatterbrained. 

There is something delightfully non-sequiteur about wearing that for yoga.   It'slike - so much zen... and so much screaming.  😆  We need another version - Please Scream Inside Your Chakras. 

This is a shameless self plug - I'M RUNNING A WEENIE DECANT CIRCLE!  

Ahem.

Also, I've been watching waaaay too much pole dancing lately.  O_O  But seriously, I've been binging on YouTube videos on PoleSportOrg and it's really inspiring.  The athleticism the women display (mostly women - the guys are fun to watch too.  ) is amazing in and of itself, but the diversity of physiques and the ingenuity of the dancers is also really fascinating.  The 2020 competitors have had to videotape their routines rather than preforming them live on a stage, and it's made for some truly ingenious choreography.  It's cool to see how people are excelling and adapting even in our Covid climate.  Just to be clear, this is how I drink my coffee in the morning.     https://youtu.be/iLamzRZ00z4

Did a half hour of core strengthening exercises with a yoga ball and another half hour of yoga stretches.  I wore The Lion, which is lovely, but more subtle than I was expecting.  I'm noticing that sweet notes seem to  come out on me when I'm getting sweaty, which is interesting.  The Lion almost had a honey smell to it that I've never noticed before.  

 

Okay!  Walked half an hour yesterday (Wednesday) wearing Red Patchouli, Nutmeg, and Oud.  It has smoothed out beautifully with a bit of aging, and will probably only get better.  Absolutely no barnyard.  I want to wear it again for yoga-ing (Yup.  That's a word now.) because it's just such a nice, warm, grounding sort of scent that I think it would be perfect for that.  I've also read that some studies show nutmeg is an anti-depressant, though I don't know whether wearing it works as well as eating it.  

Today (Thursday) I walked 45 minutes wearing Gordian Hairmop.  I've been trying to decide if I like it or meh it.  I think I like it, but not till it's dried down quite a bit.  It actually didn't make much of an impression on my walk and seems to last a long time, but have very little throw on me.  I met one of my neighbors for the first time during my walk and had a pleasant chat which included an exchange of plant cuttings!  Woohoo!

Anyways, I too am grateful for all of you guys keeping up with this while I've waffled.  I'm really glad it's helping folks, and it's definitely helping me to get back on track rather than just peter out.  

@Amazonia  I figure, when people are done with their 30 days, they can always start a new 30 days.  😄  No reason the thread has to close down. 

I'm really sorry about your husband's co-worker and that your husband is having such a rough time.  It seems like everything is just butts for everyone right now.  For anyone on here that's having a tough time with things, and b/c this thread is in "recommendations," I know Betterhelp.com has been really helpful to me for counseling.  Their rates are a lot cheaper that typical in-office visits, and now of course, because of Covid, a lot of mental health professionals have been doing video and phone appointments anyway.  I've also found the scheduling they offer very convenient b/c I work odd hours, so it's hard to make appointments during traditional office hours.  I can talk to my therapist at 10 p.m. while wearing my pajamas and snuggling my cats - which I dig a lot.   

Anywho, keep up the good work, all of y'all!  And I'm looking forward to finding out which of the new Weenies make wonderful witchy workout scents!  🎃  🎃

This is all about the brown musk on me.  Musky, slightly salty, and sweet.  It um... certainly does the image justice.  I suspect there might be some ambrette in here.  I don't get any anise, and I wouldn't call this a woody fragrance, though in the dry down, I might catch a vague whiff of what could be construed as smoky wood.  This is all about those musky, fuzzy, tanuki balls.

It's a cozy scent, but not really to my liking, and in the dry down, it gets too powdery for my tastes.  I enjoyed trying it out though.   If you are all about cozy, musky scents though (sort of in the family of Coyote, though quite different) this might be for you. 

ETA after reading other reviews - Yeah, I can definitely smell myrrh.  i think it's lending much of the sweetness and probably a lot of the powderiness in the dry down. 

Ok. Back on the workout wagon!  I actually did work out the evening of my last post. 1 hour of walking. Woohoo!  Today, I did a 20 minute walk and dragged my hubby along. I figure that expended some extra energy in and of itself.    I've been experimenting with SN's, duets, and menage a trois in my collection, so I was wearing about 6 different things. >_<° Tomorrow, I'll be picking something more coherant and will report! 

@Kelthara, I feel ya. Don't be too hard on yourself, and remember every little bit helps. 

@Amazonia, it sounds like you're a cool gtandma, and that was probably a pretty adorable scene. 😜

@Seajewel, nice t'see ya again! Welcome back! 

See all y'all tomorrow! 

P.S. Just wanted to add, thanks for all the good vibes everyone. ❤️

And welcome to the party, @niffler  Fighter seems like a great choice for getting back to your workout/yoga routine.  Love that idea.  

On 9/19/2020 at 11:07 AM, gingercat said:

I have been intermittently haunting the BPAL site for at least 10 years but have never been super big into perfume (they can give me headaches) and the catalog was overwhelming. A few years ago I tried some more mainstream houses and ended up liking the following: Ormonde Jayne's Woman (although it disappears quickly on me), Man, and Tolu, and Aesop's Tacit and Hwyl. I feel like I know what I don't like more than what I do...no gourmands or heavy florals, not sweet, not too much of the frankincense/myrrh scent, and patchouli makes me sneeze. I also don't know how to describe this, but some perfumes smell very "heavy" to me, like they catch in the back of my throat?

 

I do love the smell of forests, rain, the desert the ocean, and citrus. I've attempted to go through the imp-able scents (trying to limit myself to imps before looking for decants) and pick scents that I think fit these specifications (and have read the wonderful reviews on this site to help!): Aelopile, Anteros, Aperotos Eros, Azathoth, Baobhan Sith, Black Forest , Coyote, Elf, Half-elf, Fae, Fallen, Haunted, Jersey Devil, Lady of Shalott, Leanan Sidhe, Lyonesse, Oberon, Old Demons of the First Class, Robin Goodfellow, Scales of Deprivation, Tavern of Hell, Wilde, and Y'ha-nthlei. Would you steer me away from any of these or are any of them must tries?

 

Thank you all!

You have a lot of lovely fragrances listed, but I don't know that I would think of all of them as more "natural" smells or as lighter sents. Of course, skin chemistry can make things smell very different on different folks. 

Aperatos Eros is beautiful, but it's dark, musky, and insensey. Haunted, though classic, is heavy, black musk. Demons of the First Class is also heavier, and I get a lot of red musk. All three of these are heavier, though not "perfumey," scents.  If you are wanting amber, I might suggest "The Lion" for a classic, warm amber. 

Fae, Leanan Sidhe and Tavern of Hell are both beautiful, but more floral. ToH has some prominent gardenia and Fae and Leanan Sidhe both have a misty, white musk vibe with gentle floral.  

I would probably suggest Envy over Wilde if you are wanting a more natural, herbal lavander. Wilde has a definite cologne feel to it.  If you are looking for that, Villain is another one you might be interested in. 

My suggestions for things not on your list would be - Envy, the Lion, Ogygia, Lear, Gauko, Burial, Antony, Troll, The Apothecary, Mag Mel, Tenochtitlan, Santa Eularia Des Riu, and Bruised Violet Compound (Yes, it has patchouli, but I'd still check it out if you enjoy violets.) You might well enjoy Embalming Fluid as well as other tea blends. You might also check out the Rappaccini's Garden section, as a lot of those fragrances are more green than floral. 

Huzzah!  I am back!  Mostly.  Sans some blood after my yearly physical.  Have been too busy to do regular exercise, but I did manage to get a few hours of gardening in this last few days.  I will update this evening.

 So glad to see folks popping back on here!  Yay for all of y'all!  Keep it up!  Keep it up! 

Thursday, I gardened for an hour and a half and, after a nice, long shower, did a half hour of yoga while wearing Dragon Snack HG. I agree with @Madame Mewthat patchouli is lovely for yoga.

Friday has been a doozy of a day with little time for working out and lots of time for family emergency. 😕 Thoughts, prayers, and well wishes appreciated. I'll probably be out of commission a couple of days. 

@Amazonia I'm so sorry to hear you had to go to the ER!  Glad it's not Covid, but I hope you get a better idea of what's going on with your husband and he starts to feel better.

Grand plans for gardening today, and working out too. Mustering myself for the effort. My Frosted Pumpkin Spice Cookie was still stinking good this morning, but I added some of Sixteen92's Mercy Lewis to the mix, and I'm enjoying the blend. Not sure what it will do with sun and sweat, but we'll see. 

I AM THE PUMPKIN QUEEN!  At least when I work out.  That's what I wore.  Half an hour of walking.  Half and hour of gardening.  After a shower, I did half an hour of yoga before bed, this time wearing Frosted Pumpkin-Spice Cookie which is deeelish.  I'm officially in Halloween mode. 

@Madame Mew  Looked that up and wow-wee!  Let us know when you get there! 

I'm not much for baked good scents, but this is darn delectable.  With "pumpkin spice" in the title, I was expecting the spices to knock my socks off, but they behave themselves.  Pumpkin spice is definitely present, but it's not amping through the roof like it usually does on me.  I suspect there's enough nutmeg to restrain the cinnamon.  I smell brown sugar and yes -butter, a note I actually do get along with.   Cream cheese isn't a note I've ever been interested in, but perhaps I was wrong. There is also a powdery sugar note that really does smell uncannily like the white sugar frosting drizzled on baked goods.  It's pretty amazing.  I would eat me. 

After it dries down, the spices do calm down, but they are still present, like a sugar-spice dusting over the the top.  The rich butteriness stays around and something almost comes off as juicy, baked raisins to me.  It must be some trick the cream cheese is playing on my nose.  Happy to fall for it.

I was frottled this.  Otherwise, it would have never been on my radar.  Ok labrats.  Ya got me.  I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on all those baked goodies you come out with. 

For me, this was all about the tart blackberry.  There's a hint of sweet, red patch in the background, grounding things, but I would have actually preferred this to smell a bit earthier.  There isn't a dirt note, but the dead leaves smell dry and crackly, like a forest floor.  It comes out sharp and strong, but quickly softens.  No green cologne note in this Dead Leaves.  This is nice, but it's not really me.

Folks who like the idea of a dry, tart blackberry might want to check this one out.  The fruit is present, but I wouldn't call this "fruity," and it does feel very fall.

I have been naughty and neglecting my posts.  I took off Friday and Saturday, but Sunday I walked for half an hour wearing "A Kneeling Child Watching a Ghost Devil and Puppet Making Mayhem in a Room," which, by a happy accident, I learned smells divine when mixed with Aperatos Eros.  I've been on a black licorice kick, and A Kneeling Child... is tasty, but something about the feral musk and incense in Aperatos just sends everything through the roof.  Today I used the last of my aged imp of Elegba while I walked another half hour, and did an hour of gardening.  It smelled quite delectable and, possibly because of aging, was even heavier on the rum and more of a brown sugar syrup than the blast of rum coconut I remember. 

@Amazonia  Storm would be amazing.  I was officially hooked by the X-men cartoon as a kid, and it's always been my favorite of the mainstream comics, even if it's not always the best.  I too, love the Batman, though he seems like he'd be a real pain in the ass to be married to.  Also, Iron Man might be better in the sack.  But who am I really to turn down hot, billionaire, super hero playboys for husbands? 🤔 Meh.  What the hell, I'll take them both. 

P.S.  I do need to step it up tomorrow, but I'm glad I am at least getting some exercise rather than being a lump.  So yay to improvement, even if it's small!

This morning, my lovely felines decided to wake me up at the ass crack of dawn, and by gum, it was chilly outside!  All you northerners probably think that's normal for October, but for Houston, it was quite a shock.  Anywho, I walked for 20 minutes, wearing Destroying Angel in honor of the mushrooms that have been popping up around the neighborhood.  I was half-inspired to write a tanka about them; I'll post it, if I find the other half.  After the walk, I gardened for half an hour.

I'm quite fond of Destroying Angel.  It's one of the few mushrooms scents that doesn't turn to baby powder on me, and it's quite lovely.   it smelled sweeter and cleaner than normal, with the earth note made milder by the cold. 

This evening, I did 20 mins of bedtime yoga with Ariadne while wearing Sixteen92's Chloroform.  It's sweet and snowy, and lacks any lavender, so we'll see if it lives up to its name. 

@Supertrooper Omni and @Kelthara, lovely to have you!  And thank you for joining in.    Kudos for getting back on the yoga wagon, Kelthara!     

@AmazoniaMore Marvel than DC, aye? 😛 Have you ever cosplayed her?  Also, we gotta talk more about perfume.  I think our noses are related. 

Since I took a day off yesterday and was MIA on the thread, I wanted to make sure I got my exercise knocked out this morning.   Instead of sitting on my duff eating breakfast and watching half an hour of tv, I walked 30 mins and did 30 mins of yoga.  So thanks for the accountability guys!    Also, because I'm thoroughly impressed by all y'all's initiative, I'm gonna stop being a weenie and up my workout goal to 5 days a week.  I can do this!

Machu-Pichu was my perfume pick today.  It's not normally a fragrance I wear, but I thought the steamy, fruity, clean vibe might be nice for the warm, beautiful weather, and its low sillage (on me, anyway) might be nice for yoga.  I was right!  Cheery and sweet without being sickening.  It doesn't stay on my skin very long, but after my walk, I replied to my shirt for yoga, and it worked really well.  

@Amazonia Nothing wrong with a lady being a gentleman now and then.    What an awesomely nice thing to do for your neighbors.  And with a PUSH MOWER?!  Forget manly-man.  I think you're Wonder Woman.  Also -- I LOVE Klaus!!!  But no... I don't think dick throwing is one of his super powers on the tv show.  Maybe the uncut version??     And now you're hanging upside down?  Not Wonder Woman.  BATWOMAN!  😜  Seriously though, your workout routines sound amazing.  Keep firming those thighs!  And thank you for the inspiration.  

@Madame Mew  I looked up that rose and what a beautiful, delicate shade of pink!  And those clusters are gorgeous!  I have a Peggy Martin rose that makes clusters like that, though the flowers are not much bigger than a quarter.  It too gets the dreaded BLAAAACK SPOOOOT.     If you ever find a tried and true trick to killing it dead, let me know.  I usually end up just whacking everything back and letting it grow out new.  It's just so gratifying though when roses do put on a good show, we have to deal with their demanding and fickle ways.  😜 Thank you for the yoga recommendations.  Those are some great ideas.  And yeah.  I think I have the over extension thing too.  "What?  It's not supposed to bend that way?  *bends it that way*  Hey, why do my joints hurt?" 

@Lucchesa I'm loving that this is turning into a dog fitness routine too.  Happy and healthier puppers.  And good job squeezing in your goal today when things were hectic. 

@Seajewel  Happy to have you on the thread!  Believe me, I am no guru of fitness, and getting my neck and back in better shape after injury is actually one of my main goals.  Rehabilitating your shoulder totally counts for this.  Is it for your body?  Is it physical?  Will it make you feel better?  This is about you vs. you, not you vs. anyone else.  If you walked a mile you wouldn't normally have walked, that's already an improvement.  Pat yourself on the back! 

@a_bear Woohoo!  Sculpt that puddle!  I checked out Yoga with Adriene today.  I'd actually saved a video of hers for neck stretches, so I did that and checked out a longer one for hamstrings and lower back.  Great recommendation!  I really like her focus on form and body awareness.  Thank you.   

P.S.  @Madame Mew I think watching the debates should count as an exercise in PATIENCE! 

This starts out as a woody patchouli with just the faintest tinge of funk.  It's pleasant enough, but a bit simple for my tastes.  As it warms up though, I get hints of the carrot seed, which add an interesting powdery sweetness that softens the patchouli and really does give it a wistful tone.  If I'm getting any aspects from the tea, it's a bit of spiciness, but I wouldn't guess that it's in here.  This has sort of a suede texture, brown and dry and soft.  Surprisingly, it fades to a skin scent quickly, making it's presence known just long enough to know if it's abhorred or not, before slinking off.  I for one, wouldn't mind it sticking around a bit longer. 

8 minutes ago, a_bear said:

I've been stalking this thread for a bit, but my workout scents are generally whatever I happen to be wearing on any given day. I feel like I spent so much time outside this spring, but as soon as it got hot and humid I retreated inside. Mostly I think my goal is to get outside more now that the weather is improving.

 

 

I quite like Yoga with Adriene, but you might find her videos to beginner-y. The person with whom I live in sin and I also like Leigha Butler - she may have escaped from the circus. Her videos tend to be more challenging. Both are on Youtube, but I think also have separate subscription sites. I also really like Eoin Finn, though I just have videos of his I ripped from DVDs ages ago.

Oooo!  Thank you!  I will check them out and report back.    And welcome to the CHALLENGE!!!    Happy to have you.  Getting outside is a great goal, and I too am a hater of the heat and humidity.  I swear I'd be ten pounds lighter if our weather was ten degrees cooler.  

Today feels like it's officially autumn!  The morning started cool and overcast, with a chilly breeze.  🍂 I'm LOVIN' it. 🍁    I tested out Solitary and Abhorred, which I believe I was frimped by @Lucchesa, a thoughtful gesture since I've been wanting to explore carrot seed.     The fragrance started out a bit like Coiled Serpent, with a good bit of warm, slightly funky patchouli, but the carrot seed crept in after a few minutes adding a soft, wistful sweetness that was perfect for the gloominess of the day.  I really enjoyed this one as something warm and grounding, though surprisingly, it lightened to a skin scent before the end of my 30 minute walk.  For folks who fear offending their fellows in yoga class,  the low throw might be appreciated though. 

30 minutes of brisk walking; 30 minutes of yoga stretches!  

I'm experimenting with different yoga videos, trying to find routines I like.  I would love suggestions.   I'm a novice, but I'm naturally stretchy and bendy, so beginning positions can sometimes feel a bit unchallenging.  I'd really like to find some routines that give me a good stretch, build core strength, and focus on good form and breathing technique. 

Ugh.  Covid.  😕 My husband's workplace went through an outbreak about a month ago.  @Amazonia, hope he feels up to snuff soon.  @Lucchesa, glad it was a false alarm.  Also, I would have had some "appreciative" words for that dog-napping do-gooder!

@Madame Mew, gardening totally counts!  😜 I've actually been meaning to do some of that too.  I have a lonely rosebush that wants some companions.  What kind of herbs are you planting for the cool weather?

1 minute ago, Lucchesa said:

Awesome workouts, everyone.  And CLOSETS, @VetchVesper!  @Amazonia, a 4.2 mile walk with hills and headwinds in 51 minutes is badass enough for Lady Death Savage, to be sure. 

 

Today, Elf!  Another walk, this one north to the little frisbee golf park about 1.3 miles from my house.  38 minutes all told -- I would have gone a bit longer but had to get back home to take my husband for a COVID test. 

 

@Madame MewYoga sculpt sounds interesting!  Do you hold the weights or are they the kind you wrap around your arms with velcro?

Ooooo... Elf seems like it would be lovely for a forest walk.  I hope your husband is ok. 

Awesome sauce!  Welcome aboard, @Lucchesa!  So glad the air is clearing up for you guys. Send some of that rain down to California when you're done with it. 

@Amazonia, I love your Lady Death Savage description.

@Madame Mew  Glad it's helping!  Me too me too!  You ladies are putting me to shame and inspiring me all at once! 

I walked half an hour today, but I also got two closets cleaned out, so I'm call'n it a win. :D. I wore Dead Leaves & Maple Sap which lasts FOREVER, and smells lovely. It definitely amped up the maple syrup on the walk, which was ok, but I don't know about for a hard core workout.  

I'm waiting for Monday so I can bust out some crazy dancersize videos without my husband snickering.  😜 Only my cats get to judge.  

You ladies are awesome!   Thanks for joining in and helping me stay motivated too.  @Madame Mew, Antikythera Mechanism is gorgeous.  Glad you were introduced. 

@artisjok  Yes, I really like Cancer 2017 when I feel dreamy.  It's not airy, but fresh watery, and always seems a little mystical.  What are your airy, dreamy blends?

@Seajewel  Oh boy, I'm hiding my wallet from the Liliths in anticipation of the Weenies.  There are usually some nice lavender blends in there though.  I wonder if any of them will be good sleep blends.  

I'm getting pudgy, achy, stiff, and depressed.    That means ... 

  !!! IT'S WORK OUT TIME !!!  

I thought I might use fragrances to motivate me.  Today I wore Wanda, because I felt like roses, and she smells like a BADASS!  Rosy, but not too rosy, with some juicy, smexy wine, a touch of supple leather, and a touch of smutty musk to make me feel like it's ok to be sweaty.  This is what you wear when you do Zumba in stilettoes, or are perfecting your whip-cracking workout!   (Not me, though.  I don't have that kind of co-ordination!  Still, it's nice to feel like I COULD if I worked out more.  )

Anywho, anyone want to join me in my low-pressure, unplanned, and ill-conceived 30 day BPAL workout challenge!?  Whether you're going for that big booty burn, taking a stroll around the neighborhood, or sipping green tea between toe touches and cat pose, a little bit of exercise can go a long way to improve the way you feel.  

Rules!

1)  Make a goal for yourself.  What do you want to achieve in 30 days?  Is it to drop a few pounds?  Form a new habit?  Gain some flexibility?  Lift your mood?  Or maybe just find new ways to use your GINORMOUS BPAL hoard?!  Decide on your goal(s) and post it here.  

2)     Dash, spritz, or slather on some perfume.  (Preferably BPAL, but we won't judge.)

3)    Do at least 20 mins of exercise, stretching, or fitness activity.  (Be as tough or easy on yourself as you like.  It's great if you can work out everyday, but if you can't, that's okay too.  This is about fun, experimentation, and feeling good about yourself.  Even if you just add 20 minutes of exercise to your week,  it's still a step in the right direction.) 

4)Every time you exercise, come brag on yourself in the thread!  Tell us what you did, what perfume you wore, and how it worked out.  Remember to cheer other folks on too!   

5)       At the end of 30 days, tally up your exercise entries, tell us your favorite workout fume, and let us know how close you got to your goal!

As for me, my goal is to work out at least 3 days a week, lose 5 lbs by the end of October, and get my back less achy.  I did a 10 minute ab crunch workout on you tube.  (Eee gawds, I'm outta shape.) and 10 minutes of basic Yoga stretches. (Edited to up my goal to 5 days a week, because I can do it!)

P.S. To the moderators, not sure if this is the right place for this, but it's sorta perfume recommendations, possibly workout recommendations?  I saw there is a thread specifically for what to wear while working out, but this seemed a little more involved.  Anywho, lemme know if I need to merge stuff.  

1 minute ago, Seajewel said:

 

Speaking of dirt notes, I think I might grab a bottle of the Patchouli, Labdanum, and Ylang Ylang before it goes to wear at night. It's such a mild, soft scent. None of the parts of patchouli that I don't like. Just earth and a little sweetness. 

Huh. I wouldn't have expected it to be earthy. You've peaked my interest. I'll have to check it out!