TWRT 3.6.10

This Week's Random Thoughts ~

I must have the 2009 Givenchy Harvest Edition Amarige. I have loved all of Givenchy’s Harvest Editions, and oddly, I don’t think the concept is gimmick-y (though I thought so at first). Right now the ’09 Givenchy Harvests are only at Harrods and those bloody Brits don't ship to the US. Must.Be.Patient.Abigail.

A bird flew into my house this week and stayed for 2 days. I think she was a female house finch. She chirped and sang to us both mornings at sunrise. We have very high ceilings and she just flew from ceiling fan to light fixture to nicho* and seemed perfectly happy for the 2 days she visited. I miss her now that she’s gone (*nichos are recessed spots in the walls of adobe homes where one places art). And, since you’re wondering, she didn’t poop anywhere. I looked all over and didn’t find a single mess.

I broke my toe. It killah hurts and now I won’t be able to wear cute shoes for a few months. Drat.

Givenchy Eaudemoiselle has piqued my interest. Love the ad imagery (see above), who doesn't long to wear a neck to toe black cape on a sunny day? What’s cooler than a perfume ad without skin? [although, it kinda ruins it for me when I think Givenchy is playing to the vampire obsessed teens/young adults who love the stupid Twilight books/movie. True Blood rules. Twilight sucks.]

Big Love seems to have jumped the shark this season. But it’s still a guilty pleasure. I can’t believe there’s only one episode left.

I absolutely despise the term Cougar.

I also despise the term Curvy to describe women over size 4.

I started using pure emu oil on my face. I’m having a hard time with the fact that this is oil of emu, you know, the big ostrich-like bird in Australia. When I apply it I swear I smell poultry fat and become gaggity.

Annick Goutal Eau de Fier arrived this week. My goodness! ...what an usual scent and especially for Goutal. I’m fixated on it. It’s an edgy blend of birch tar, rubber, smoky black tea with a dash of salt and hints of citrus. Eau de Fier is not something you’d wear to the office, but I love, love, love it.

I found this little ditty about mimosa blossoms on Fragrantica and thought I’d share:

"Golden puffs, the downy tufts of new-born chicks.
The minuscule golden chicks of mimosa..."
"powdered like Pierrot the pantomime in his yellow polka-dots,"
"fireworks," "tiny torches alight..."

- Francis Ponge, “LE MIMOSA” IN La Rage de l’expression © Édition Gallimard. Authorised translation by Hermes, courtesy of editions Gallimard.

I found the above quote because I was looking for reviews of Hermes Caleche Fleur de Mediterranee. HCFdM is supposed to have noticeable mimosa but I don’t detect it. To me, it’s a big beautiful aldehydic floral, like Guerlain Liu, but not much ado about mimosa.

Someone besides me needs to tell Chanel they are having problems with their Les Exclusifs bottles. Both Brian and I have experienced major leakage when we've purchased brand new bottles shipped directly from Chanel. Just this week I received yet another Les Exclusifs bottle that had leaked about 1/3 of the jus all over the box. I know it seems crazy, these gigantic bottles give the impression of being able to survive a nuclear bomb, but there are problems. I called Chanel and now I have to ship back my defective bottle and once received they will send me another. Major Pain in the Ass.

and, on that note,

Have a fragrant weekend everyone!

TWRT 2.7.10

This Week's Random Thoughts ~

I’m still tempted to use 2009 as the date. Why is ’10 so hard for me?

I’m truly pleased that many readers enjoyed my week-long tribute to Annick Goutal. This house deserves all the accolades it receives. One commenter, Dain, made me laugh when she called this week of reviews: Justice.

Does anyone know where to find Guerlain Habit Rouge L'Extrait (parfum/extrait)? I’ve been looking – I know for sure it exists but cannot find it.

Lovely little gem of the week: Hermes Caleche Fleurs de Mediterranee. This is a soapy, aldehydic nummy fest. Not particularly similar to the original Caleche.

American Idol: Thank goodness the crappy part is over. Next week we’re onto Hollywood. Is this when Ellen D. shows up? Hope so. I read a rumor that Howard Stern is being considered to replace Simon next year. Wow, the combo of Ellen and Howard would be odd. I can’t imagine Howard leaving NYC to be in LA for such a stretch of time, though. He’d miss Beth and Scores.

The above pic are the limited edition Grossmith bottles. I’ll include a pic of the normal bottles below to be fair. But the LE bottles make me lose all financial sensibility and want to order them pronto.Beverage of the week: I’m still hooked on Diet Dr. P - but I ventured out with some Boylen’s Birch Beer and it was unusually good.

Luckyscent sent me a sample of By Kilian Rose Oud (they just sent it – first time this has happened to me). Rose Oud is probably going to be a huge hit for rosey oud lovers if they aren’t disturbed by the silly price tag. I’m not an Oud-girl so it’s hard for me to judge but this doesn’t conjure band-aids at least. I think it might even be nice – less syrupy than the Montale’s.

It has snowed and snowed and snowed and snowed here in Santa Fe. I knew it snowed a bunch here, it’s a big skiing town and the elevation is higher than Mt. Washington in NH...but still. My dogs are pugs and the snow is up to their shoulders making it distressing for them to do their business outside.

I’m excited about Donna Karan Iris.

Finally got a bottle of Ormonde Jayne Tiare and Orris Noir. I haven’t worn either long enough for an accurate assessment but Tiare reminds me of a tropical Diorama. Diorama is on my mind since I discovered it recently and fell in lurve but I think there’s something similar here. The newer packaging from OJ is quite nice. Lovely to display these bottles. (I need to stop using the word “lovely.” Seems so teeth-clenched to me).

Um, does Amouage Epic Woman remind anyone else of Serge Lutens Chypre Rouge?

I now officially pump my own gas. I know you think I’m mad for not having done this prior to moving to NM; but lemme explain... in MA full service was always an option (which I took) and in NJ there was *only* full service. So, after spilling gasoline all over myself about 2 wks ago (yeah, I used to like the smell of gas, once you wear it, believe me it’s not a nice smell) I now know the ins and outs of pumping gas. I feel accomplished and self sufficient. (!)

I can’t put words to exactly why but seeing the bikini spread of the Octo-Mom in one of those gossip rags was disturbing. And, good for her if she hasn’t had any work done but she certainly looks like she’s had some stuff done. I mean seriously, how could those massive stretch marks vanish in one year? And how can her stomach be completely flat after giving birth to 8 babies one year ago (on top of many other kids before that)? She does remind me of Angelina Jolie – I think it’s the lips and the kid obsession.

Jean Francois Latty, in house perfume for Teo Cabanel, has created a new fragrance for the house. It launches in a month or so. They are keeping the fragrance a secret but I’m giddy with optimism since Alahine is my HG.

Have a great Sunday everyone!