alterosen

Snake Oil CDXLIII (443): Strawberry Snake Oil - so delicious! A dark sexy strawberry, not a girly one. There may be a tiny bit of pepper of some sort as well giving it a hint of heat. This one is a favorite with the men-folk.

To complicate things further, some of the Pumpkin Patch bottles are cobalt glass rather than amber. I'm guessing these are the 2005 ones since I have other 2005 Weenies that are cobalt, too (Samhain, Devil's Night & Harvest Moon) whereas the other 2006 Weenies I have are all amber. I could be wrong, though, since I didn't receive them new. Perhaps there was a mix of bottles used that year. Anyone?

I think SawScaled Viper is pretty close to Aphrodite Kypria though there's a bit more spice to it (bearing in mind that I have a cold). Worth a try anyway!

I'm surprised by all the negative reviews for the Rat Speakers because I quite like it. Wet, this is fresher than I was expecting (from the sage & lemongrass) anchored by the patchouli & possibly some vetiver. Then the leather comes out followed by more sage on the drydown & a bit of stone. Earthy & interesting - need to test it on the husband because he often smells really good both in patchouli blends & in lemony/sagey ones.

I got this almost as an afterthought - though I often love roses in perfume, I rarely like floral room sprays (the Fainting Couch was emphatically not for me). I usually prefer spicy, warm scents but I've been looking for more Spring-like things. I must not have read the reviews because I am a big fan of Rose Red & this does indeed smell a lot like it. Lush red roses with just the right amount greenery for the win!

This was in heavy rotation at my house during December. I sprayed the entrance way so I was greeted with piney goodness whenever I came in the door. So far, this is my favorite room spray - I love the sweet pine with the hint of berries & smoke!

Cherry blossom, green tea, and sake. I didn't expect to like this that much because I'm not a huge fan of clean or green scents or Asian florals but it really is nice! Lots of pretty cherry blossom wafting through my living room. Perfect since it's Spring & I feel like something fresher than my usual warm spicy scents.

I find this much more earthy than the perfume. The apples are definitely secondary to the damp woods & patchouli. It is also way more smoky - still very evocative of the season!

I quite like this - it has a dense sweetness that reminds me of the Snake Oil soap (though not as strong). Sweet, thick & slightly spicy - nom!

I swear that there's some pear in Sugar Skull (a blend of five sugars, lightly dusted with candied fruits). Many of the reviews mention raisins but I totally get pear along with a syrupy vanilla (way nicer than it sounds). Alice's Evidence is the one with the raisins. Personally, I like Titania but only notice the pear in it sometimes. Symmakhia (vanilla, heliotrope, red sandalwood, pear, black lily, white wine grape, and white rose) was mentioned upthread & for some reason the pear & grapes combine to smell like baked apples on me. Nice but odd if you're expecting pears.

An allegory of Victorian melancholy and madness: tea-stained bourbon vanilla, with white cognac, coconut bark, Oman frankincense, and woodmoss over opium tar-stained silk. In the beginning, this is a bright citrusy tea scent that hovers on the verge of being too fresh for my liking, but then the yummy vanilla musk comes out & all is forgiven. It doesn't have a ton of throw or staying power but will be just the thing in warm weather when I don't want to be overpowered by scent. Reminds me somewhat of Lady Lilith in its light fresh complexity.

You might want to check out some blends that contain cypress - it often gives things a foresty feel without being all EVERGREEEN in your face. My husband realy likes Nemesis (cypress, ginger, fig, dried rose, red patchouli, tonka bean and cyclamen) on himself. It's sweet & foresty but not over the top.

If you like the sound of Pepper, you should try Hermia (pink pepper, golden amber, honeysuckle, passionflower). It's a lovely creamy spicy amber. Othello might be interesting, too, (Arabian musk with two roses and a bevy of Middle Eastern and Indian spices). I find it more spicy than rosy. Personally, I like to go for hardcore roses if I'm channelling the Grand Old Lady vibe: Rose Red or Dawn:Mother (impable close matches from the GC would be The Rose & Snooty Rose). Neither are particularly creamy though - maybe Roses, Pearls, Diamonds would do?

Antikythera Mechanism & Port Royal would be worth trying - they're both assertive enough to stand up to the coffee without being overpowered & have a little bit of sweetness to them (admittedly, they are also among my most favorite scents on the men-folk so I would probably think they smelled great regardless )

Many questions to answer! September 23rd Is there anything you'd like from the Mütter Museum Store? I just noticed that Cocoa Pink has 5 ml Perfume Atomizers. Yay or nay? Scents you would like? Scents you would NOT like? - Sure! Black Cat in the Pumpkin Patch, Halloween in Dublin, Naughty Gingerbread, Naughty Pumpkin, Spiritueuse Double Vanilla, anything pumpkin or apple what's your favorite kind of pizza? - pesto with shrimp or chicken & I used to be able to get one with potato & thyme that was delish who are your style/fashion icons? post pics if you want! Are there any food items you're craving/aren't able to find around your area? - I'd be pretty happy to have dark chocolate mint Tim Tams again September 22nd If you're interested in a handmade pouch/cover for an item you have (phones, tablets, books, keys, kettles...), what would your ideal pouch/cover have? Design, material, additional functionality/features like pockets or lights or secret hidey-holes? - ipod cover, perhaps Would you like a photo collage based around your interests/favorite colors/favorite themes? - Sure! prefer something not too large If you're crafty, are you interested in spoonflower? And if so, what things there delight your eyes? - so many awesome designs! I think the Spooky Gothic & Sugar Skulls ones are really cute as well as the one with all the insects but I'd probably just admire & not use them though Colors! What are your favorite colors and what colors do you not like? Pictures and links, people! What is your favorite word? - I can think of a few: rumpled, onomatopeia, parapluie What are the feelings on arm warmers? Color, style, texture, length? - I like the look but probably wouldn't wear them (I actually like to wear 3/4 sleeves because I tend to get too hot rather than chilly), a pair of fingerless gloves in something soft would be more my thing Do you like tarts? tealights? jar candles? votives? - tealights or votives preferred What's your favorite flavor? Sour, sweet, bitter, salty? - sweet & salty So, are there any online gaming witchees who covet purchasable in-game items or other gamer-y stuff? (yup, geek question) - no thanks! Anyone doing anything cool for Mabon (or the start of fall, if you aren't pagan? - lighting candles, gathering a Fall bouquet What is your favorite coffee blend at Starbucks? If you don't have one, what is your favorite roast of coffee? - French Roast (& Pumpkin Spice Lattes) September 21st Cthulhu: yay or nay? - Yay yay! Is there something that you wish you could do, but you keep putting it off? Put your current mp3player (I am the anti-apple, so no ipod ), winamp playlist, what have you, on shuffle, list the first 10 songs: Flogging Molly - Devil's Dance Floor Gogol Bordello - Immigrant Rock Blind Boys of Alabama - Uncloudy Day Toots & The Maytals w. Bonnie Raitt - True Love is Hard to Find Sarah Harmer - Basement Apartment REM - Superman Voltaire - Vampire Club Bauhaus - Ziggy Stardust Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros- Redemption Song Kathleen Edwards - Back to Me Witchee, have you made (or are you planning to make) any Lab or Trading post orders soon? And if you did (or plan to), you should share what you're getting Do you have any interest in rocks? Not like, polished colorful stones.. but like... rocks. With geologic significance! - sure! If your witch were to knit you a scarf/shawl/cowl, which would you prefer, and what features would you want? Would you prefer something light and drape-y or thick and warm? What kind of colors would you prefer? Do you have any fiber allergies or preferences? - If you have a pet, could you please post a photo of it? I really need to see what your pet, if you have one, looks like. Do you like/own/wear/want fairy wings or something of the like? -that would be a cool thing to have! How do you feel about terrariums? - no thanks! What's your favorite horror movie? - not a huge horror fan but I liked the Others, the Sixth Sense & have a great fondness for Vincent Price If your witch was the practical type and wanted to include one or more of your everyday essentials, what would those include? I'm talking about the bath products, lotions, face lotions, teas, food, etc that you really use every day. - Noxema, bagels, coffee, tea, apples, lip balm Jane Austen .. Yay or Nay? - Yay (preferably w/o zombies) I put up quotes I love in my office and studio to get me going, They range from goofy to sarcastic to inspirational... Are you interested in a hand painted quote? Do you have one in mind, or a topic in mind? - Love one! "All the freaky people make the beauty of the world" - Michael Frante, is something I have stuck in my head right now or something from Terry Pratchett would a fairly safe bet Do you like period or period-styled paraphernalia? Stuff like postcards, notecards, jewelry, office supplies, what-have-you? - you betcha! If you like manga, comics, and/or graphic novels, what is it about them that you like, in general? The story, the art/style, etc? - not crazy about the Manga I've read (willing to be enabled!), I have all the Sandman series, some of the Books of Magic, enjoy Courtney Crumrin, have to like both the story & the style If you could choose a Smack, what would it have in it? - I love Villainess' Smacks, by far my favorite scrub product! I really enjoyed Berry Patch, Spice Trade, Vanilla & Woods together & would like to mix up Berry Patch x2, Lemon Meringue & Buttercream if you could have a salon scent made, based on any artwork(s) what would it be? Are you scientifically curious and/or process-oriented? Would you like a project-type gift that allowed you do do something like make soap from scratch, take and (nontoxic-ly) develop photographs using a pinhole camera, use plant dyes on yarn or fabric, etc.? - Sure! What's 'your' song/your theme song? What would be your superpower? Witchee, would you like a gently used BPAL tshirt? - you bet! There's a number I missed out on Do you like homemade snack mixes? I know Puppy Chow was mentioned in a previous question, but what about healthier and more natural type snacks like granola or trail mix? You can put a lot of delicious and fun things into trail mix, yeah? If you say "Sure, I'd love some!" what kinds of things do you like/not like in those kinds of snacks, ie coconut flakes, raisins, certain nuts (allergies??), candy, etc. Give us your list of DO's and DON'Ts - sure! No yellow raisins, please or banana chips Do you like charm bracelets? If you had a bracelet, what sort of charms would you want on it? Favorite hobbies, symbols, whatever? - I do! Something seasonal or Halloweenie would be very cool September 20th Would you like any ecotools makeup brushes? They're kinda one of my favorite things ever, and they're animal-friendly and the handles are bamboo. And to top it all off, they work really well for applying makeup. - sure! A mini Kabuki would be a great thing to have Do you like Legos? Especially mini-fig key chains, Lego block keychains, small Lego sets, etc? - Love a Lego figure key chain as would my kiddos Since the previous question about "what would you buy from the Lab if you had unlimited funds, etc" left WAY too much to the imagination with no limitations (my answer was pretty much BUY ALL THE THINGS!), what would you do if you found a $50 bill on the ground and a nagging voice in the back of your mind told you that you HAD to spend it on BPAL or else face Death. Also, say they had free shipping (LOL) so don't factor that in. What would you get? And spend it all! Or as close to $50 as you can get. Are there any characters that you love or identify with? A question! If you are crafty, what's your personal art style? I'm not talking just about what art you like to look at, but what kind of art do you like creating? Do you have a "process" while you're creating beauty? Are there any Arcana Weenies that you MUST HAVE? So what say you? IS an "unexpected" visit/in-person witching OK? September 19th What strange misc. items would you love to receive that you just haven't gotten for yourself?: How do you feel about franken polish? Are you okay with all chemicals, or would you prefer 3 free? Would you want glitter or holographic glitter? What colors would interest you? Dear witchee, how do you feel about lip balm? Favorite style (twist up tube, pot, tube with wand, etc.)? Favorite flavors? Flavors to avoid? Favorite brand? Do you need more right now or are you set? Are you one of those people who could never have enough lip balm even though you have a bowl on your dresser overflowing with them and 10 in your purse and an order for more on the way? - yay, lip balm! prefer twist-up tubes & no peppermint flavor, please Would you be interested in getting fountain pen inks or art supplies via JetPens and or DickBlick? (I know I have a wishlist on JetPens and just love using fountain pens in my artwork) -For those interested in watercolors, how would you feel about getting a palette filled with paint from my watercolor tubes but not getting the paint tube itself? (kind of like this but without the covers for the compartments and bigger http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream) -How do you feel about getting art supplies in general? (copic markers, watercolor, brushes, paint, sketchbooks etc.) - sure! How do you feel about Threadless tshirts? - I like! If you were turned loose in a basic drug store (CVS, Walgreens - a pharmacy with attached mini-mart, basically!) with a $20 bill, what would you pick up? - some kind of candy & perhaps some socks Darling Witchee, would you enjoy farmer's market pickled veggies (green beans, garlic, asparagus, etc) or fresh canned peaches or something of that nature? - oh yes! Do you prefer color or white photographs? Nature or abstract? - I like both, nature with slight preference to b&w would you be interested in something like this? https://lostcrates.com/how-it-works Amigurumi, yes or no? - yes! I have a question! What are some of your favorite paintings? (famous or undiscovered?) Feel free to link to examples! If you could have an image painted for you - sky is the limit - what would it be? Name your 3 favorite scents for candles Name your 3 favorite types/flavors of tea September 18th Do you wear t-shirts? Are there particular things you like on them? Would you like one designed by your Witch? And, if you don't mind saying, what size t-shirt do you wear? How do you feel about pumpkin scented things? Not perfume related, but soap, candles, etc.... - oh yes! Has anyone else heard of or does anyone else love Glamourkin? - awesome! I added some to my etsy wishlist If you had an international witch, is there anything you would like from the UK? (Or Australia, Belgium, France any other country we have witches from. Dear witchee, if you answered 'Mac' to the Mac/PC question previously issued by another participant, please tell me what kind of computer you have, what peripherals you own (like the wireless trackpad, wireless vs/wired keyboard and mouse), and whether you're interested in Apple-related items (stickers, keychains, other things with the logo, etc). SOCK PREFERENCES? Would you like/wear a pair of these? http://www.ravelry.c...rary/yoga-socks If so, what color? - interesting... blue, grey or purple Is there anyone here who likes toe socks? You know, those socks with a place for each toe? - they're amusing but would I wear them? September 17th Are you looking for a certain kind of DVDs to spruce up your collection right now? - Nightmare Before Christmas, Finding Nemo Does anyone like postcards? Is anyone willing to be a Nacho witch for postcards - yes & I would Anyone going to see any good concerts this fall? - doubt it Do you like Star Trek? Original TV series, films, spinoff series, etc? Favorite characters? - yes, original & DS9 Witchee, would you like a framed photograph and of what? September 16th Are you more prone to order out or cook at home? Would you be interested in cookbooks, kitchen utensils, and the like? If so, anything specific? - I get takeout once in a while but mostly cook at home, would love recipes etc. New question: How do you feel about maple syrup? - yum! It's readily available here though. How do people feel about little pocket shrines, maybe something inspirational/motivational to keep in their purses/backpacks/whatever? (Like these: http://www.art-shrin...cketshrines.htm) - that would be cool! Do you like Star Wars? Original Trilogy? Prequels? Spin-offs? Favorite characters? - I prefer the original (fave characters: Chewbacca, Yoda & Darth Vader) but my kids love the Clone Wars (Anakin, Asoka, Obi-Wan, General Grievous) Do you like beef jerkey, I know some may be vegetarian, but where I live beef is a staple and beef jerkey abounds. If so do you it really thin, hard and crunchy or thicker and softer. (OK that borders on obscene) - I like beef jerky (& my DH loves it), thin preferred Also do you like more racier ecards from time to time and do you need to be warned if something may be not safe to open at work. - Sure! (but it would be a good idea to let me know if NSFW just in case) Doctor Who? Yay or nay? (please don't make me cry by saying nay) - Yay! but I haven't seen more than a few episodes of the last few years I have a couple spare Doctor Who stickers. If my witchee is a fan, would they like a couple Doctor Who stickers in their package? - Sure! Anyone love Buffy/Angel? - Yes! Especially Spike, Giles, Anya & Lorne How would you feel about gummies? Like, gummy bears? Gummy werewolves? Gummy vampires? - Gummies are awesome, not a huge fan of sours but my kids would eat 'em if I got some How would you feel about a totally original Gela-skin for your laptop/iPod/phone? Stickers? Decals? Since this is a Halloween round, what's your Creepy threshold? Are you a cartoon bats and smily pumpkins person or a skulls-and-bones the-dead-are-rising kind of person? Are your fairytales dark or Disney? - I like creepy but not gore (or zombies), I don't mind cute as long as it's not cutesy, dark fairytales preferred Are your ears pierced, Witchee? Do you have any other piercings? Would you like to receive any items of jewelry for these piercings? - ears only, I had my nose pierced once upon a time but it wasn't happy about it so I took it out How do you all feel about Whoopie Pies? September 15th interested in anything from Lush? - I really wish I'd managed to stock up on Blue Skies shower gel before they discontinued it , I'd love to get a chance to sample small amounts oof all the different citrusy shower gels so I could figure out if I'd like them, I dig bubblebars & would like to try the massage bars Do you blog? Would you like a header for your blog, a layout, etc? - Nope! Would you be interested in a handmade bookmark? - You bet! do you like chex puppy chow or muddie buddies (ingredients: semi-sweet chocolate chips, PB, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, chex cereal)? would you want to get some from your witch / nacho witch? - sounds good! sweet or savoury How would you feel about receiving a Groupon deal for something in your local area? If there is anything you WOULDN'T like, mention that also. do you like real sugar skulls? Things with sugar skull designs? - I've never even seen a real one & would love to Who here adores meringue? - I do! especially with chocolate & nuts in it or citrus peel ( I often give chocolate & orange peel ones as Christmas cookies) September 14th Can you sum yourself (whether it be personality, life's goals, ethics, whatever) in 10 words or less? How about little bottles of booze? Ya wanna? What kind? - Sure! liqueurs or rum, vodka What are your views on fudge and brownies? (Also, if you live in a warm place, where the fudge might melt, that'd be helpful to know. Or, if you're diabetic and fudge is death, that'd be useful to know, too.) - fudge & brownies are yum! Also, what about mochi? Love it, hate it, baffled by it? - doesn't really appeal Anything from the update ya'll are liking? BPTP UPDATE - I have ordered decants galore from both updates, am planning on getting bottles of Pumpkin Princess, Apple Cider & Candied Pumpkin when I have more funds Does anyone like kimchi - nah Would you be interested in a sample box(from somewhere like Birchbox or loosebutton)? - Sure! You have to place a Lab and Trading Post order. Right fuckin' now. No spending limits. What do you buy? Paintbox Soapworks - anything you're interested in, in general or from the latest update? - I have a few soaps on my etsy wishlist (Smiling Jack, Indian Summer, Lavender Truffle) & would love to try small amounts of the slip & sorbets Do you guys have any sports that you follow obsessively? How about favorite teams and/or athletes - moderate hockey fan (Canucks) but I don't need anything How do you feel about notebooks/journals/stationery? Anything you need or particularly like? - love little notebooks with designs on the paper Does confetti/glitter make you angry or fill you with glee? - It's fine but doesn't inspire great passion either way Fabulous witches and witchees, perhaps you all could note of you've received MeiLin's goodies? Or if you want? - haven't received any, would totally dig the cookbooks How do you feel about stuffed animals/plushies/general soft, cuddly things? If you like them, what kind of animals would you be interested in? - I would like (preferably small): cthulhu or mythological animals (dragons, griffins etc), octopi, black cats, pumpkin creatures how interested would you be on somewhat personalized bottle cap labels? Like these that I did? - very interested When you're miserably sick (*sniffle, cough!*) what are the things that comfort you the most? - tea & books & warm blankie, cat in lap What constitutes ultimate luxury to you? (go crazy!) What do you really NOT want? - not a big fan of feathers or real fur September 13th How would you feel about kitchen towels and other similar household objects, if they are pretty or a souvenir - How did you dress up for your last party or compulsory-formal-dress occasion? Do you enjoy puzzles/riddles? (Cryptograms, Sudoku, Crossword, Jigsaw, etc) - I quite like crosswords & word search things Witchee, would you be interested in having a special tea cup/coffee mug/glass to drink out of? - oh yes! September 12th Would you like to receive e-books? And if so, in what format? If you have kids, would you be interested in getting things for them? And if so, what are they interested and what sizes are the wearing now? Would you be interested in a felted handbag? Do any of these styles appeal to you? http://tinyurl.com/3o2epzl (there's at least one guy-friendly style, too!) - those are nice! I would get the most use out of the unisex ones, though the bubble bags are really cute Are there are patterns, motifs, etc that you especially like? - paisley, stars & moons, leaves, chintz type flowers If you're a tea drinker, is there any specific tea you would like to receive, not just the kind/flavor but also the type/packing--i.e., tea bags, loose tea, compressed, etc? - lots on this in my Switch Witch Help September 11th I am fond of the thrift. Do you mind lightly used goods? Please be specific! For instance, I'm a little squicked by used clothing, but I don't mind any other used goods (i.e. books, glassware, games, DVDs, whatever.) - I love second hand! Clothes are fine but no undies, fur, feathers or hats please Do you have an Etsy shop? Do you know of any Etsy shops that are Switch Witch friendly? - don't have one Would a gift or a postcard from Disneyland make you squee with delight or puke into your mail box? - it would be okay what are your favorite types of Halloween candy? - mini chocolate bars, peanut butter or caramel filled pumpkins Do you prefer soap or shower gel? Please give examples of your favorite scents or brands. How do you like your chocolate? For example with nuts, mint, peanut butter, caramel? - I went into embarassing detail about this in Switch Witch Help Beads! Do you use them? Would you want some? What sorts of beads do you like? - yes! I love czech glass & leaf & flower shapes Anyone here like caramels? Sea salted caramels?!?! - I adore caramels, especially salted or in unusual flavours Would you like a hand dyed or hand painted scarf or wrap or other item? If so, what colors/designs/fabrics do you like? - you bet! scarf preferred This was a question before, but does anyone here like stones? Just pretty polished stones for use in whatever purposes? - yup! I was the kid who got holes in her pocket from all the rocks she picked up everywhere And another question; anyone like anything in particular from Think Geek? Pinterest, do you have boards you want to share or are you following anyone with great boards you want to share? - I don't think so September 10th What #1 actor, director, author and/or musician are you obsessed with? are you interested in anything from the Villainness Bad Apples update? If you have a pet, would he/she/they like to receive a treat or a toy as a gift? Does your pet have any dietary restrictions or other preferences w.r.t. said treat? - my cats are all catnip fiends What are your top three "I want to try them but I think I'll never get to try them" (or, "I've tried them and I want moar moar moar, but I don't think I'll ever get any") scents/bath oils/sprays? Is there a particular artist and piece that you would like a print of? If so, what is your max size that you could spare on your walls? If you are in to beauty and makeup related stuff, what kind of stuff do you like? What is your skintone and hair color? Are there any beauty products you've wanted to try but just never purchase? Do you like coffee or tea? Would you be interested in trying some different types? Are there any CDs/Albums you've been wanting but haven't bought yet? What format do you prefer? (i.e. mp3, actual cd, record, etc) - cds Are you going away for any part of this round? - nope Would you like to receive a mix-CD from your Witch? - I would love one! Some of my favorite stuff is from mixed cds from past Switch Witches If your witch were going somewhere on a vacation during the round, would you want a little souvenir? - Sure! Do you enjoy any outdoor activities? Do you have a favorite form of "exercise"? - I just walk alot - I wouldn't mind a beginners bellydancing dvd Any witchee's with a ravelry account have any favourited patterns that cost money that would be a welcome gift? - can't knit Do you work/study at a desk and enjoy interesting or cute office supplies? - yes & I would Witchee, are you a fan of musicals? If so, which ones? - enable me! September 9th Do you like to burn incense? If so, what are your favorite kinds...sticks? cones? resins? What are your favorite scents? - I pretty well only like Japanese incense like Shoyeido but I'm a bit intrigued by Juniper Ridge - Harry Potter - a fan? If so, what house are you? - If you were to receive a gift card, what places would you like to get one from? Is there a particular myth/folktale/legend/fairytale/godstory that you're drawn to? If you RP, tabletop, forum, or otherwise... Do you have any original characters you'd like to see art of? If so, please give information! Even if it's a link to a web page or a profile or picture! - not for me If you could see anything, what would it be? Can be a person, an event, a landmark or monument, an object, etc. And it doesn't have to be on this planet, or in this time period, or in this reality! When you are having a really rough day, what do you like to do/have to make it a little brighter? What are your thoughts on comics? Any you like? Any you have been wanting to try? Favorite characters? Are you musical? Do you play an instrument, and if so, what? If not, what do you wish you could play or do? Does anyone garden? And if you do, what do you grow? If not, would a starter garden kit be something you'd be interested in? Do you decorate for Halloween? Is your decorating taste elegant, kitschy and fun, or scary? Witchee, do you have any symbols or totems that have special meaning for you? Is anyone fond of programs like Adopt a Tree/Highway/Library/Manatee/Acre of Rainforest/etc?: September 8th From the Weenie Update....what are you most wanting to try? Who's into nail polish? What colors/brands? Is there a quote (or lyric or part of a poem) that really resonates with you or is your favorite? Dream candle? Scent, color, type (tealight, votive, pillar, jar, etc.), throw... Do you like knitted goodies? If so, what would you like and what colors? Would you be interested in homemade edibles that are NOT sweets? Any specifics? - sure! I like chutneys, pickles & medium salsas What GC do you live in mortal terror of the lab discontinuing, but never get around to buying? - I'd hate to lose Perversion, Fae or Nemesis before I get bottles Yo, yarnies! Do you Ravelry? If so, who are you over thar? - not a knitter Social Media? - nope, still resisting Do you have wishlists for non-BPAL e-tailers? And if so, could you provide a link or a list? Witchee, do you use a PC or a Mac? - Mac at home, PC at work What is your favorite animal? What are you going to be for Halloween? - I'd like to be a wicked queen (I wish I could find a cheap adult-size tiara) or the Queen of Air & Darkness or something along those lines If you could have a piece of oil painting jewelry (pendant, pair of earrings, or ring) with absolutely anything painted on it, what would it be? (If you prefer wall art instead, same question as above.) How do you feel about nick-knacks? - I like 'em! What traditions (family, holiday, or otherwise) are important to you? Do you like going to the movies? What are your favorite restaurants? Do you play any video games? - I used to play Diablo exclusively but once in a while will play Wii with my eldest (Pirates of the Caribbean or Indiana Jones Lego) Do you like any anime? Do you have an E-reader/iPad/something similar that you need a cover/case for? - I only have an iPod how much do you like jewelry? like, if you were to get a shit ton of it during the round, how excited would you be? - pretty damn excited How would you like to receive some of your Witch's favorite recipes, tailored to your likes/dietary restrictions? Any specific wants? - sure would! Do you need any boxes to store your smellies in? What would you store in said hypothetical box--imps, bottles, supplies, all of the above? Muppets: yea or nay? - big yea! Do you have an affinity for Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts, The Far Side, and other comic strips? If so, which is your favorite? - Like Calvin & Hobbes & The Far SIde, for strips currently running, I really like Unshelved, Cul De Sac & Lio Favorite Mythological Creature?: - griffins, dragons, trolls Do you like hair things barrettes, headbands, flowers Expanding on the hair question - does anyone like those flower clips for the hair that are big right now?? - not really

#176 starts out kind of citrusy (maybe some kind of peel?) & then the slightly syrupy floral I always think is champaca but perhaps is something else. Not much amber but quite pleasant.

Soya sauce & Nag Champa incense with an occasional waft of celery-ish lavender. The sandalwood is in hiding except for the blackened (soya sauce) aspect. So very odd on me & therefore off to a new home!

This starts out super spicy (I kept checking the notes for chili pepper) & then goes very woody in the pencil shavings/cedary way that sandalwood sometimes does on me & after a while that is overwhelmed by some baby powderish honey. I didn't wash it off but I really wanted to. Another 13 where the chocolate's not really showing up (at least not with my skin chemistry).

This is just plain weird on me - no chocolate, just syrupy, slightly incensey bubblegum. (I actually came to check the reviews to see if the decant had been mislabelled, but I see lots of people didn't get much chocolate from it) My least favorite 13, thus far.

This is very pretty scent - much softer than the perfume which is quite a sharp tea rose on me. I was surprised to see the vivid blue & green when I unwrapped it because it smells like it should be a creamy pink colour

I'm undecided about this one. It's glorious once dry - creamy sandalwood with just a breath of strawberry but has a very odd & unpleasant phase where it briefly smells like fish oil & herbs that I'm not sure I can handle. No idea where that's coming from note-wise but I've had the same thing happen both times I've tried it.

Late May/early June 2011, I wasn't able to squee about my final package from my Witchy because the IGI thread was already closed. So here it is: I received an unexpected Switch Witch package the other day! What a lovely surprise - I'm sure the international postal people hung on to it for a while, just because. Picture here Inside was some great paper goods: a bookmark printed with Gouldian finches (so vivid!), 2 BPAL postcards I haven't seen before & a pretty postcard of the Sunset over Sydney Harbour with a note from my dear Witch. There was also some other awesome BPTP swag - the coveted white BPAL pen & an Underworld Cup pin (yay!) - Some very nice Emma Page jewellery: sparkly earrings & a silver heart pendant with a chain - awesome Australian Redback Spider socks (officially the coolest socks I own!) - Hand Balm in Tranquil Sleep from Lathers & Lights (very soothing) - a nice selection of imps: Al-Azif, Bohun Upas, Casanova, Lorelei, Night Raven & Psyche - a whole bunch of sweet origami cranes, stars & hearts! Thanks so much for all the goodies! Here's a picture of my first package: viola! . March 25 Are you interested in trying Super Villainess (from Villainess - the birthday scent that was just released tonight!) and if so, which item do you like the most? (Soap, Whipped, Smooch, Extrait, Smack...) - probably just the soap & a perfume sample (though I do like the Whipped product, it's a lot of lotion to use up if I don't like the scent - I'm looking at you, Just Desserts...) If I were to order you a Smack, which four notes would you like? - my favorite so far has been: Berry Patch, Spice Trade, Vanilla Bean & Incense, though Sugared Roses, Spice Trade, Red Woods & Raspberry Plum was pretty awesome, too. I've been toying with the idea of a rosy, citrusy combo for summer but am a little afraid of it going wrong - Sugared Roses, Lemon Meringue, Buttercream ...) Would you enjoy receiving a knitted gift from your witch? If so what would you be interested in (scarf, hat, wrist / handwarmers, socks, etc.) and in what colors? - I've been lucky enough to receive scarves from a couple of my past Witches ( blows smooches at Galahad & Baitu) & the wonderful stariel once knit me some fabulous socks (gentle glomp) so I feel like I shouldn't expect anymore handknit bounty but anything would be welcome March 23 Easter Candy - do you like it? If so, what types? - I'm fond of all things Lindt (come here, leetle bunnies & carrots!) & Cadbury Mini Eggs (even though they sell them year round, I still like getting a big bag at Easter & scarfing it down by myself), I saw some Cadbury orange -marshmallow eggs that I'd like to try. I'm also pretty keen on peanut butter filled things. What scent(s) are you petrified of getting DC'd? - Dorian (I have a back-up, but still), Perversion, Lady Una, Marie, Faith, Nemesis (for my DH) March 22 Violette Market Update is up. Do you covet anything from it? - I wouldn't mind trying the Lost Woods of Killarney & the Morrigan. The Turkish Delight from the Yules caught my eye more than anything from the current update What is your favorite type of wine? Would you be interested in trying something new? In that case, is there anything you really DONT like? Ooooo how about dessert wines? - I'm not crazy about really dry wines but will try anything! I mostly drink reds (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz) & the occasional glass of dessert or ice wine March 21 What three things are you craving right now? milk chocolate, warm vanilla milk with cinnamon & cardamom, some crusty rosemary bread with butter paper goods, anyone need? including resume paper, and formal stationery as well as casual cards. - I can always use more cards & cute notepads! What is a scent that you've been trying to find even a sample of for a very long time to no avail? (What bottle would you die to get your hands on - even a partial?) - samples of Sybil, Pumpkin King & Gypsy Queen (even sniffies!), Bottle-wise: either Hunger Moon or Sky-typing with Chem-trails would make me really happy Is there anything in your life that you'd like advice or a "selfhelp" book for?: (ie finances, eating healthier, meal planning) - de-cluttering & cleaning house ,*sigh* the will is just not there March 19 If your Witch lived near you, would you be happy or creeped out to get a "coupon" for a service like cleaning help or babysitting or dogwalking or coffee out with your Witch or something like that? Would you be creeped out if a local minion personally delivered a package to your house from a far-away Witch? - Nope, wouldn't be creeped out. I'm always happy to meet another BPALista but would prefer a bit of prior notice if someone's gonna show up at my house Let's say I have a pair of something you collect, would you like one of them and we have matching things? - You bet! March 18 Do you like poetry? - Yes, I do. (I was an English major, remember). What types of scents do you like to scent your home? Which do you totally avoid? - like foody, fruity & spicy, florals can be iffy What are your thoughts on comics? Any you like? Any you have been wanting to try? Favorite characters? - I really like Jill Thompson (characters: Scary Godmother & Delirium) & Ted Naifeh (GloomCookie, Courtney Crumrin) but haven't been trying to keep up on what they're doing How do you feel about nail polish? What colors do you like? Sparkles? - I'm a toenail decorator only. I like glittery reds & purples, wouldn't mind finding a nice sparkley blue or deep orange Household/kitchen goods/gadgets? - pot holders! and a decent pastry cutter would be nice Ok geek check - what sort of geeky things do you do? Do you read comics/graphic novels? Are you obsessed with something (a TV show maybe?) Do you work in a geeky field? Do you play rpgs like Dungeons and Dragons? Would you like gifts related to any of these? - I have all the Sandman graphic novels & some others but don't really collect them in general. I'm quite fond of Buffy (would enjoy Spike & Giles stuff) but am not as obsessed as some people & haven't really been enjoying the new comics. Not a D&D player but totally loved hacking & slashing my way through Diablo I & II. I do happily work in a library & know way more about LOTR & Greek & Norse mythology than I need to. I'm a bit of a Lovecraft officinado, too & have always wanted a stuffed Cthulhu. Do you have a favorite fabric? If someone were to make you a fabric item, would you prefer it be out of any fabric? e.g. velvet, satin, silk, cotton, bamboo??? Would this change if it were an article of clothing vs. a bag/pillow/blanket/somethingelse - I like velvet a lot or cotton, blanket would be best in something soft & cozy Anything with the Worm Moon update that you're already lusting after? - I have decants ordered & was lusting after the shirt but talked myself out of it March 17 Would you want an invite to a site that is invite-only ex. Diaspora, Demonoid, etc. If so, what? - Can't think of anything Pillows? What size/designs/colors would most interest you? - I like floral or paisley patterns or solids in sage green, cranberry or cobalt, any size purses? bags? What style/colors? - I'm always game for a new cloth shopping bag or book bag especially if it's not canvas coloured (beige) Decorative scarves for hair and/or creative accessorizing? What colors? - Sure! Blues, purples & greens & combinations thereof Would you like anything from Starring Fragrances. They make awesome hair stuff, natural deodorant, and home fragrance (and a ton of other stuff, those are just my favs)? - I had a sample of the sugar scrub in Gangster's Moll that was pretty delicious. I'd be into small sizes of shower gel & room sprays, too in anything foody/spicy. March 16 or those who like lipgloss, lipstick, tinted balms, etc, what colors do you wear (and warm? cool?) and do you prefer something sheer or more opaque? How do you feel about shimmer? - mostly cool colours like plum, dark pink, sheer or opaque, shimmer is good but not essential Are there any fancy/gourmet/special herbs or spices that you'd love to receive? ie: good quality vanilla or other extracts, vanilla beans, saffron, lavender, etc. - I'm good for most things but used to be able to get a spice mix called Zhug that I can't find anymore & I'm interested in trying Old Bay, vanilla bean paste would be nice What's your favorite animal? Or is there one that's particularly significant to you? - cats, crows & ravens, otters, hedgehogs, tigers If you were able to get a vintage or prototype bottle from the upcoming West Coast Will Call, which one would you want? - Cake Smash v3 or Victorian Rose Milk or Underpants (mostly to share 'cause I only have a third of a decant) or La Befana DVDs, Blu-Ray, both, neither? - dvds, please Sock Dreams? What kind? (anklets, footies, etc.?) - anklets or mid-calf Since this is a price capped round, would you rather get one "big" thing or lots of "little" things or don't care? - whatever my Witchy desires to do is fine by me Do you like pirate-related things? - Yar! Soaps? Be specific: if there are BPAL soaps you want to try or are dying for more of, tell all here! Also, any other companies people like or love? Villainess, maybe? Or Lush? What flavors??? - I've tried all the BPAL soaps but would be happy to have more Gingerbread Poppet, Shub or Snake Oil (pieces are fine), I'm quite fond of Villainess & have quite a few listed in my Switch Witch Help. I'd be especially interested in ones that are Soap Box Co. exclusives (Masala, Autumn Gala, Proserpina) 'cause I'm unlikely to ever order from them since Canadian shipping is over $20. Lush is easy for me to get. What periods of art do you love most? Like, if someone was going to get you a tapestry or a box or some other item, what period would you want it to most resonate with? the pinks and golds of Rococo? the clean geometry of Art Deco? The romanticism of Art Nouveux? The strange lines of Cubism? - I'm fond of Art Nouveau (I think it's all the swirly bits) Would you like caffeinated lollipops?: http://www.lollyphil...cks-caffeinated - ooh! nom nom. I generally like coffee flavoured things Copied CD's or DVD's? - I'm okay with it if they're hard to come by I'm going to Disneyland in a couple of weeks, is there anything I can get you? - Nightmare Before Christmas stuff is always good or Finding Nemo March 15 Booze? Yay or Nay? what kinds? - yay but probably too expensive to ship. - Cider, red wine, pale & honey ales, Calvados, sometimes liqueurs like Chambord, Grand Marnier, Baileys, Mozart Gold Steampunk inspired items? Yay or nay? - Yay! Do you like amurigami dolls? - Yes! Chewbacca is adorable! The black metal dude is hilarious! Pirates vs Ninjas vs Zombies - who wins? Which do you love most? - Pirates, all the way! Do you like wearing things in your hair? If so, what kind (snap clips, scrunchie, headband, etc), how big & crazy (lowkey, bigger the better), and colors. - I'm kinda picky about hair accessories - scrunchies in velvet or patterned/tapestry fabric would be a safe bet though Piercings? - ears?? - elsewhere? - ears only (7 holes but wear rings in all but the lowest which are the ones I change up daily) Chocolate. With stuff in it? Are you more a plain chocolate lover, a chocolate and normal items lover (normal items being nuts, fruit, caramel) or do you like weird stuff in your chocolate? (weird stuff being curry, chilis, balsamic vinegar, floraly things) - Bring it all on! March 14 surprise! the world has given you the day off. You hear that, no chores, responsibilities, or budget you have to follow. What would you do in those 24 hours? - there'd be a whole lot of napping & eating out going on (can you tell I'm feeling a little burnt out? ) Do you have any blogs you regularly read? - Neil Gaiman, FoodLibrarian, Bookshelves of Doom, Cakewrecks, Go Fug Yourself, Smart Bitches/Trashy Books, King Arthur Flour Baking blog Do you need another bpal box? If so what would your fantasy one look like? - I've been lucky enough to have been gifted a couple of fabulous ones already but could use one just for my rose scents (would have to have voluptuous old-fashioned roses on it, of course, on a dark background) Do you enjoy gardening? If so, what kind of stuff do you grow? Vegetables, flowers? - heirloom veggies (esp. tomatoes), herbs & smelly flowers are my faves Social Networking sites: I'm still resisting favourite artists or specific paintings? - I guess I like illustrators best: Arthur Rackham, Brian Froud, James Christiansen, Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, Ursula Vernon. I'm also drawn to paintings of the night sky with the moon & stars March 13 how about mix CDs? - love 'em! Hey, how do folks feel about little e-goodies, like links to stuff your witchee likes? (articles online, pix, fic, etc) - love 'em! Tim Tams? Yes or no? Chocolate Creme, Caramel, or Dark Chocolate? - I can buy them locally but would be interested in trying any unusual flavours that we wouldn't see - like Dark chocolate mint, yum! Is there any "classic" literature (Hemingway, Dickens, Elliot, Bronte, Hugo, Wilde, etc.) that you would like to add to your collection? - I have some Kipling & other stuff on my Amazon list candles and/or aroma melts: yay or nay? - yay, candles! Get your music player, what are the first 13 songs on Random? - lately, I've only been listening to Sarah Harmer's new album, Oh Little Fire Astrological charts and interpretation/ reports? - You bet! So how does everyone feel about receiving ebooks? - I don't have a device March 11 Would you rather have HUGE list of things your witchee wants to try or just a highlight list? - huge makes it easier as long as there is also some ranking going on March 10 Baked Goods? Yea Nay? - Yay! If not Baked goods and you are changing eating habits..a book of recipes perhaps that will help the new eating lifestyle? - Recipes are awesome! If you were to make an order RIGHT NOW (Not that any of you will make any bpal orders until SW is over, because you do NOT want to mess up any plans your witch might have!) What would you order (from lab, forum, DD, TradingPost, etc) - I'd love a bottle of Kuang Shi or Marie or Fae & some Nemesis for my DH (I may have to get myself a Worm Moon t-shirt, too, because it's adorable!) What level of nudity are you fine with on items? Ex: none, tasteful, erotica - I like it fairly tasteful I know the ?airre asked about gently used books and if you like garage sales, but would you like other kinds of gently used items that may have come from a garage sale? - You bet! I'm always at the thrift store Do you like cooking seasonings, like the kind you can get in ounce sizes? If so, things you'd love to try out? - I'm set for most things but I'd love to try something regional from my Witchy's area or some kind of spice or herb mix they think is great Do you like any particular kinds of green or black teas or coffees that could also be gotten in bulk? - I like French roast coffee but I'd rather not get too much of one kind of tea at once because I like variety Favorite snack foods (and can they be from bulk section as well?) - Of course: gummis (especially Haribo), licorice, chocolate-covered pretzels, peanut butter- filled pretzels, yam chips, sesame rice crackers

If I remember correctly, the Lab doesn't mark items as gifts but does tend to low-ball the worth of the merchandise. They are usually marked as essential oils or shirt etc. but may not list everything in the package.

This isn't the woodsy, spicy, orange fest I was hoping for - it's kind of bitter & reminds me of some sort of shampoo. Doesn't work on my DH either.

Strangely, this is very sharp & unpleasant on me. I wish it was like Katrina van Tassel & Pink Snowballs but instead of creaminess, I'm getting a very high-pitched floral that my sinuses hate. I don't usually have a problem with tea rose, heliotrope or honeysuckle but something here does not like me at all. It gets a bit fruiter as it dries but is still, most emphatically, NOT for me.