I breathe in.... and relax

I've probably said this many times in my posts but I can't help being surprised again and again when it happens.

The feeling comes upon you at the strangest times, you breathe, you realize there is a smell in the air you would like to smell better, you breathe it in more fully and then you feel your body relax. The stress sort of siphons out of your body and you smile without meaning to.

It can happen anywhere and with any kind of smell (well, a pleasant one).
Breathing in the smell of freshly baked bread, sensing the seasons in the air, a new perfume discovery that not only makes you let go of all your stress but also sends pleasant shivers down your spine, the lingering perfume of a passerby, the freshly cut fruit and vegetables (especially at this time of year) and grass any time of year, in my case also snow, the freshly washed smell of shampoo in the hair....

The list goes on and on, but the important thing for me is that there is no other sense that I can use which will enable me to relax in the space of one breath.

I just wish I could utilize this consciously. :)

How I manage to forget this, I have no idea

I guess it comes down to this: I don't sample (test) any of the perfumes I have and then, a couple of days goes by, life takes all my energy and I have no more left to use for testing a sample (in order to write about it).

So, after several days pass in such a manner and the only perfume I smell is the one I apply in the morning and then forget about, it somehow slips my mind and I forget how much perfumes help with easing one's (stressed) mind.
And that is exactly what they do for me. No matter how much I like them or not, the fact is, when I smell a perfume, I can feel my mind easing off the stress and my body relaxing.
I wish I would remember for future stressful times that I don't need to apply perfume in order to write about it, I could just apply different things to my arm in order to get lost for a bit in this beautiful universe.

Although, honestly, I'm not that surprised that perfumes are the last thing on my mind (for testing and writing purposes) - so far, this has been a very difficult year, for me mostly because of the workload, but also full of bad news not applied to me directly, but hitting very close.

Perfumes and books (and now running) help me deal with all of this, I just wish I wouldn't keep forgetting how big a role perfume actually has in helping with stress.

Oh well, hopefully now I've put it down in writing, I won't forget it soon. :)

How I review

I guess I should have written this long time ago and not after three years of writing a blog (I still can't believe it's been so long).
But now at least I can look back and explain how I do it. If you had asked me in the beginning how I decide what to write, I don't think I could have given a meaningful answer.

This post has mostly been prompted by the stuff happening in the book bloggers community that I managed to almost completely miss but that has been brought to my attention by this post.

So basically this is about books but is also valid for perfumes.

• Most of the stuff I read is the books I bought. I probably should mention that in my reviews because if I think a book worth reading, I will buy it.
• This is where NetGalley comes in - I get a lot of books for free from there. So far I only reviewed 12 of the 40 I received. Those are the ones that caught my attention amid everything else that I can choose from (and believe me, I can choose from quite a lot).
• I don't have a problem with not finishing a book. There are many out there I won't have time to read so I don't get worked up because I stopped reading a book that didn't interest me. This also means if I reviewed it (even if not in the best of ways), I find it good enough to be read (before everything else I can choose from).
• This brings me to the fact that I could put in action my own style of grading the books. There would only be 3 categories: Had to start reading sth else in the middle of the book as it didn't really hold my attention, Read it without stopping for something else, and Had to force myself to go to sleep because I couldn't stop reading
• As my library (valid for perfumes as well) is rather large, the fact that I haven't yet reviewed something I received for free doesn't mean I didn't find it interesting or good (but it could mean that), it probably means it wasn't yet time for it to catch my attention - sometimes I'm in the mood for particular things and the rest lingers
• I believe in being nice and polite to people - so if I don't like something, I probably won't get nasty about it, but then again, the topic probably won't come up unless I'm provoked
• Lately, my tolerance for YA adult novels is diminishing and by that I mean, I look for more than a new type of story
• I also believe authors shouldn't get all worked up over bad reviews - does everyone you meet in real life like you!? Why should then every review be a good one? Not to mention the fact that literary geniuses are rare.
• I don't believe my book reviews are typical - I don't find it necessary to repeat the basics of the story (as that can be found everywhere), so I just try and go with things I enjoyed about a book (I just wish I was more in the habit of making notes while reading a book)
• I'll finish this list by saying I am always up for reading a genre I haven't yet - one of those being steampunk novels (I look forward to reading my first one)

And to end with some of my thoughts on reading:

• Have you ever noticed how everyone in novels speaks without problems? Usually all the sentences are correct from beginning to end without any hitches. I never talk like that. Then again, it might just be mine particular problem with forming and pronouncing sentences perfectly at all times.
• The other thing I noticed from my favourite books, but it also seems books that are usually most loved,  and on top of lists, feature difficult, tragic situations where there is a lot of suffering for the main character - Is it just me, or does that sound very Matrix to you too? It wouldn't be believable or good enough if there wasn't suffering in it to balance the happiness?

Random perfume (and other) thoughts

These are the things that don't require a post of their own but that keep going through my head lately:

• After falling in love with Chypre Palatin, I cannot but think about Denyse's book The Perfume Lover and what she mentions there of her talks with Bertrand Duchafour - that he would do so many different and strange perfumes but has no financial backing for them (I now wish Mr. Duchafour could win lottery so he can create whatever he pleases and of course make it available)
• And speaking of Mr. Duchafour and Denyse, I really want a bottle of Séville à l’Aube

• I'm looking forward to reading Alyssa Harrad's book, Coming to my Senses, I haven't read any of the reviews as to not influence mine
• Then again, I am looking forward to reading many books once my vacation starts (just 2 more weeks to go!) :)
• While I'm on the subject of books, there is way too much of them I want to read and not enough time in my life to do it

• Speaking of reviews, it's a minefield out there in the perfume community if you want to review a perfume that just came out, and you were lucky to receive a sample, but don't want to be influenced by what other reviewers wrote (especially if you're slow like me)
• I'm still amazed by the perfume synchronicity happening - a perfume seems to find its way to you at the right moment when you need something exactly like that (latest case, Mito)
• Hopefully, with my vacation nearing, I'll be able to write more perfume reviews as there are many perfumes I'd like to talk about (Chypre Palatin being on top of the list)

• I also need to read my posts before I publish them because when I get to them later, I find really stupid mistakes I made while writing them

• They might tell you (they being your trainers) that it's not easy to lose weight while running, but everyone else will think you did - you might lose a little bit but the rest gets re-arranged so everyone will think you actually lost quite a bit (I'm not going to talk about rising energy levels now which you get too)
• While I'm on the subject of running, as with everything else in my life, I am slow but I get there in the end - you just need to let me do it in my own rhythm

OK, I'm off to finish the book I'm reading at the moment (re-reading Kresley Cole's Lothaire).

Need help - with a possibly smelly problem

As a cosmetics addict, it is usual for me to try new things and check how well they work (for me).

Even though some might claim incredible results, using most of them does not have reverse effect than the one stated.

That is, until we come to deodorants.

I used up the Vichy anti-perspirant and rather optimistically, bought some other roll-ons in order to try something else. Plus, the lady who sold me the Vichy told me it's not supposed to be used all the time (?) as it's an anti-perspirant, so for some people that obviously means not completely healthy.

The problem I now face is that nothing seems to be working.
For the time being I am pretty sure it's only me who is bothered by this (careful inquiry with some of my good friends revealed that) but it's still making me feel uncomfortable and well, smelly.

I know that the most obvious solution is to get another Vichy roll-on (and it's on its way, Escentuals has them for a great price) but I would still prefer a choice and a change.

So, this is where you come in. :)

What is your preferred choice of deodorants (spray, roll-on, stick...) and what is THE deodorant that you cannot live without, one that works incredibly?



P.S. Just to give you a run down of stuff I tried that didn't work in roll-on variety: Rexona, Dove, Adidas, Nivea, Avon, Biotherm, Balea, Garnier, Neutro Roberts, Rituals, Bourjois, Lancome...

Sprays generally don't last long enough on me, and I just recently heard some women prefer sticks as those work best for them. I'll be trying my luck with those next.

Stuck in perfume limbo

I'm blaming it on the weather (and possibly fatigue and stress, but mainly weather).

The spring started here even before the calendar said so, and then went back-tracking into something resembling more autumn and now  we're finally getting the sun and warmth, and now we're hitting almost summer temperatures which is coming as quite a shock to many people (the instant rise from cold into summer).

I had started contemplating spring perfumes sometime in March when the spring first showed its face and then I got stuck, as the temperatures fell and I needed to wear my coat again in order to feel warm enough.

So now it's very warm, I've skipped my spring perfumes and I'm at a loss what to apply each day (like I've been for the last month and a half).
I've sort of lost my perfume (wearing) thread.

Not to mention the fact that most of my summer perfumes are hidden somewhere in the depths of my closet ...

If not sooner, I'm hoping the next trip to Paris will deal with my perfume limbo. After all, Paris helps with any problems you might have. ;)

The unexpected joys of running

As some of you might know, I decided to join a running school this year and it's been 5 weeks now that I'm going. Albeit not completely regularly but as an Aquarian with so many self-inflicted obligations, the only way I can live with them if I skip them sometimes.

Therefore, it is obvious I am not 100% regular, but I do make it to 2 out of 3 weekly trainings.

I can see the smiles as you read running schoold. :) This is the second year Adidas is organizing this in Zagreb (this time in other Croatian cities as well) in order to promote running as a healthy choice for city people. After initial testing, we were separated into 3 groups and are following a program made for each group. The program is difficult enough that if you skip more than once, you will feel it the next time you're there (so I try and keep to schedule, but honestly life does interfere).

Anyway, today's training was a bit eye-opening in the manner that I enjoyed the running for the first time. Up to now, it's been a constant battle with my body over the fact that my lungs seemed to have a problem with oxygen. :) And then, my stiff shoulders protested and tended to constrict even more so I was leading a battle between my mind and my body.
My shoulders are finally easing down (and my pilates instructor can't believe that running is helping me after all the effort she put into that) and my breathing is getting a rhythm my body can follow and now to the joys.

Well, there are the obvious joys of meeting new people, doing something good for your body, feeling your levels of fitness actually rising (I find it incredible how fast you can the signs of improvement, little, but they're there), enjoying the fresh air (as we are running alongside the river running across Zagreb), releasing stress...

The unexpected joy happened today - someone in front of me was it seems wearing a tuberose perfume - which wafted in front of my nose for the duration of our running stretch. A good tuberose perfume I should add. :)

The other unexpected joy was meeting a friend from my university rowing days running in the opposite direction.

And the third unexpected joy is realizing you can actually do it (I'll see if I'll get into enough shape to run the half-marathon they are certain they can shape us up for) - and coming home realizing you keep smiling for no reason, but out of sheer joy. :)

Before you all go thinking it's all fun and joy, I should add there are some unexpected problems as well.

Like, realizing your feet aren't used to running so they ache during and after (it passes quickly). The same goes for your legs - it's not your muscles which get overworked but some strange aches appear in tendons and parts I don't know how to name.
Not to mention the fact that 3 times a week gets your body exhausted and you don't have time to recuperate completely (hence me skipping some - and that helps me a lot).

But the basic line is, it's a great body-mind exercise and if you listen to your body - it becomes joyful and fun fast. :)



P.S. Of course I'm using it as a way to lose a bit weight as well (as the pics of me from the school demonstrate I'm in dire need of that, even though they are a bit exaggerated, I hope) so it came as a great coincidence that I was pointed to this site yesterday in order to finally be able to count what I eat and its exact contents.  So Slim Kicker, I hope it works as a diet tool for me.

I've been thinking

As the title says, I've been thinking about discontinued perfumes all day today, prompted by Birgit's find of a perfume shop with vintage treasures.

My mind went mostly the way of discontinued Guerlains but it could be applicable to any company still in existence and producing perfumes.

The way I figure it, it all revolves around money and economy. Economy being the operative word here. One I hate sincerely. Because you cannot possibly convince me it's in my best interest to follow economic principles that can't be understood through common sense (which is most today). And honestly, the banking and economic systems in effect today seem very far away from common sense to me. That especially includes banks. Basically, any institution that makes you pay for the mess they made of the world we live in today.

Ok, I'll stop with the rant - this really is about perfume. :)

So, I was thinking, most discontinued perfumes went that way because of lack of sales (making enough money as the company deems profitable). I say most, I'm aware some can no longer be produced due to unavailable ingredients.
But basically, the perfume goes into alcohol so you don't need that much of the original formula to make several hundred bottles.

What I've been thinking is, many discontinued perfumes have fans that would love to get access to bottles of their favourite perfumes.
So, why not make smaller batches of those perfumes and  not place them into boutiques but make them available at order? You wouldn't need to ship them to boutiques and basically, only hardcore fans would buy them straight from your headquarters. I'm pretty sure you could even put those in simple bottles, just as long as fans would get the juice they wanted.

And I believe even eBay wouldn't be a problem because anyone could order a bottle for themselves and those that went on eBay would mean that the seller would have to go below the original price, otherwise anyone could get a bottle for the usual price from the company. So, I don't think many of those bottles would appear on ebay.

Basically, this sounds sensible to me (bear in mind I have no economic knowledge).

What do you think? Are there huge holes in my idea I can't see?

Spring is here (and hopefully, so am I)

Ok, so spring might not be exactly here, but it's definitely coming (the sunny day today is rather cold and biting).

We've been having sunny days and some rather high temperatures for this time of year but mostly, it's a slow rise of temperature into real spring.
But spring is definitely here as evidenced by the photo my boyfriend sent me the other day from a large park (partly woods) in Zagreb (Maksimir):

Anyway, I have big plans for this spring and I do hope I make some of them come true (knowing me, some is fine as I tend to plan for more than is actually possible).
One of the plans is another trip to Paris in very late spring (probably summer weather by then) as Suzanne already announced on her site. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to meeting Suzanne and having fun with her and Asali in Paris. :)

I also hope, now that the hectic period is over at work, I'll be able to write more regularly and sniff more regularly as for the past few weeks all this was on hold.

Happy spring time everyone!

Hoarding

Sometimes the most unexpected things occur to me.
Although, I probably shouldn't call them unexpected. It's just the fact that they haven't occurred before that makes them unexpected but then again, every idea anyone has could be called that. :)

Basically, I realized I hoard my samples and decants.

Especially decants.
They are rather small to begin with (compared to bottles) and are either 5 or 10 ml of perfumes I like, and would like to know better (so I can review them).
But that same size makes them rather fleeting, when compared to bottles, so I'm scared of using them, in order not to use them up before I get the chance to write about them.
I realize it's rather stupid, because if I wore them, I'd have a better chance of actually talking about them than now, when I'm hesitating of wearing them in order not to use all of what I have.

That is also why this winter I've been rotating 5 bottles I have in order not to spend any of the decants I have. Which I guess contributes to the winter blues I'm experiencing, but hopefully, now I'm aware of my perfume hoarding tendencies, I'll be able to combat them with spraying decants with abandon. :)
After all, they are a legion. :)

Does this happen to anyone else?

What I expect in the year 2012.

I don't think I should name my post New Year's resolutions even though they might appear as such.
I'm hoping they become a longer fixation in my life.
Of course, not as strictly inforced as what I'm planning for the next year but hopefully some of that strictness will remain forever.
Some thing are just general ideas I have about life I would like to keep living and possibly deepen.

1. I'm following Birgit's path next year and I am not buying any bottles of perfume* (the most important word here being bottle - decants don't count). I really need to start wearing and enjoying all the perfumes I have and actually talk about those and not be on a constant quest for new. I have more than enough to last me for ymore than a year if I were to talk about one each day (this includes samples of course!).

2. Which brings me to point number 2. I need to enjoy the things I already have. (this goes for both perfume and books)
I have so much of both that I haven't given any attention to, and I believe it is causing some underlying stress that more accumulate and I haven't even started with those I have.
In case of books, not buying doesn't count for the series I'm following. Everything else will wait.

3. Point number 3 would be, I will try and enjoy the bounty of my life. As shown by previous too, I obviously don't lack in life's leisurely pursuits and honestly, this recession has demonstrated very clearly to me that I have more than enough and don't lack for anything.
Yes, I'd love to be rich but if I weren't happy as the person I am, money wouldn't be able to change that (just make it more difficult for me to understand that happiness doesn't come from it).

4. This brings me to number 4. I will seriously try to save a little bit of money. The key thing here is starting with little as I'm not prone to saving or sticking to any such plan (made by myself). I really need to learn to not spend all the money I earn. It's starting to make me feel materialistic (which I know I am) but also, lacking in strength of character.
I really, really have enough of stuff in my life and don't lack for anything. Now I need to start enjoying the things I have and taking good care that the new things that arrive are really those I need.

5. And speaking of character strength, I sincerely hope I'll have enough to enroll in a 2-month program here that teaches people how to run effectively and prepares you for a half-marathon (I do think I'll skip that part).

Running on a beach like this would never be a problem

But I would really love to do something for my body (and its health) and I always thought running was beyond me (I'm just not such a person).

So, I hope I'll win against myself (and that will probably be a good opportunity to present myself with an iPod as I have nothing for music if I decide to do it).

Feel free to show your support in this because I am pretty sure I will be needing it. :)



6. I also hope I will write more (often). :) I want to, I just need to work more on making my wishes into reality (especially those that are only dependent on me).


7. And last but not least, I hope I finish my thesis (unless it all comes down to nothing as the university is no longer inclined to extend the deadline for quite many of us left) but in any case, I hope it gets finished in any way, and then I hope I'll have more time to spend with family and friends and finally restore the feeling I have all the time I need to enjoy the little things in life, instead of the opposite.


It all basically comes to the fact that I want to enjoy the life I have and not the one I need to pay for.



* I am pretty sure an exception or two to the rule of non-buying will appear but I can't say in advance what they might be.

Contemplating Christmas perfumes

Not to say that I'm contemplating what perfumes I'm going to wear around Christmas but I feel this very strong need to wear some of those evoking Christmas time - now. :)

It's dark, cold and frosty outside and I can't help but want warm, spicy, Christmasy fragrant perfumes wafting around me.

And of course, when I realized that is what I wanted, I also realized I don't have that many ideas on the topic.
Here are those that came to mind (you will probably notice they are all by a single perfumer):

Piment et Chocolat - spicy and warm, lightly chocolatey

Festive - evoking fir trees and fun in the warmth of a fire

Nourouz - smelling of juicy pomegranate and holiday warmth

Gingembre - I could use the smell of baking cookies

I could also include Sienna, smelling very cinnamony, and Cimabue smelling clove-y.

Ok, so these are the ideas I had but I would like to enlarge my choices if possible, so please, ideas and suggestions are very much welcome.
You can tell from my choices what I would generally like in my Christmas perfumes but I would love to hear what are your associations when it comes to perfumes that evoke Christmas for you.

What is happening?

It seems my blog is turning into my thoughts on everything else but perfume but I can't help it at the moment.

Spurred by reading for my thesis, news from the world and just some thoughts of my own (which do tend toward depressing these days), I can't help but wonder where are we as a world headed?

It hit me 5 minutes ago that my life dependant on resources outside of me was in a downward spiral and as optimistic and positive as I am, I must confess that at this point, I don't see the trend either stopping or reversing.
Quite the contrary, it seems to be accelerating toward the deep end.

So, that is why I asked what is happening? But more to the point, why are people so mean and selfish as to have brought this upon the world at large, and more specifically, my own country?
Croatia is the slowest European country to start coming out of the recession, meaning, we still haven't begun to climb out of it, and talking to everyone here (who still has work), it doesn't seem it will happen any time soon.
I won't go into details why that is so, but it has a lot to do with the mean, selfish, hypocritical and just plain bad people.

Basically, if I am starting to think it can only get worse, and I have a good job and live relatively protected from the worst of this recession, how do other people fare?
And not just here but all around the world?

And as I'm being honest here, I really wish I wouldn't worry about things like this. It's hard for me these days to feel truly happy and satisfied with the world I live in, this is only making me feel worse.

And the bottom line is, is there anything I can do about it? On a larger scale than being part of an ignored demonstration...?

The smell of winter

Finally, it arrived.

Not the actual winter but the hints it's giving out before it comes.

The smell of snowflakes in the air.

The cold that smells blue.

The anticipation of air turning and sun blazing white.

Ok, so I really didn't smell the snow in the air (but I don't think it can be far now) but the rest is here.

We've had  a long summer and a strange, humid autumn that made everyone sick and today, finally, the air is bracingly cold, the sky is finally showing signs of losing the clouds and the smell of winter is in the air.

I love the smell of each of the seasons but I especially love the smell of winter. After all, it is my season (as I was born in winter).
I hate being cold but I can't help feeling that when I smell the winter in the night air (as it seems it's always night now), I feel at ease and comfortable.
There is something in this cold, night, starry air that feels as much me as it can.

I still don't know why that is that I feel winter is the time of year when I feel most comfortable with everything. Walking in the cold and enjoying Christmas decorations (which are almost here) and then coming home into the warmth and enjoying being comfortable and cocooned in it - not to mention all the perfumes making me feel warm and fuzzy and happy.
The truth is - only the winter perfumes make me feel truly happy and truly me. :)


But, even though this might sound like I will be writing more often than lately, I do think it won't be the case as some of my personal (delayed by me) obligations will have to take precedence over everything, so I believe I won't be writing as often as I'd like, but I hope that I'll be here at least once a week until Christmas (and the rush) passes.

Am I being too harsh?

I don't know how many of my readers are aware that I am a total cosmetics freak. It was my first love, I adore testing stuff and I'm always on the lookout to try something new.

But it hit me today when I was applying my perfectly ok face cream.
There aren't that many cosmetic products that wow me.

Those that actually deliver what they promised, or work in a way that would make you notice.
And that is why I don't talk much about them. Although I wish I would because that would mean there are some truly spectacular products out there available to everyone.
Because I don't really like to pay a huge amount for a body cream. Or any kind of cosmetic product. Ok, so what I am willing to pay is huge to my mother, but when compared to other cosmetic prices out there, I consider myself rather conservative. :)

The last two things that worked really well for me were:

Afrodita Cinnamon AHA Forte Anti-cellulite cream - I don't use it enough for an anti-cellulite effect to be noticeable but the AHA part works great.

And, a sample of Guerlain's serum and cream that the most generous Birgit sent, but being me, I managed to forget the name, I only remember it was anti-age (and blue).
But worked wonders to make my inner radiance come out. ;)

So, what do you think about most cosmetic products you use? What really stood out lately?

Growing as people

I completely lost my thread. :(

I went to answer the comments on the blog and my post title disappeared from my mind. This one is the closest approximation but the really good one is missing.
Maybe it will come to me in sleep. :)

Anyway, I had a sort of epiphany today (and the usual place where those happen is bathroom). :)

It doesn't matter what the precise subject was, let me just say it was on relationships (the opposite sex ones) and I realized that the older I am, some things seem to fall into place and I understand those types of relationships better (in this case mine). I also seem to give my partner more understanding for things that would drive me up the wall before.
I'm happy for myself and the feeling that I'm growing as a person. Giving someone else the benefit of a doubt or even, trying to put yourself in their position seems to be nowadays a lost art. Ok, maybe not lost, but not really practised a lot (so, on the road to extinction).

I know I'm far from perfect but I also know I want to be a  better person. I want to feel happy and at ease with myself, knowing I didn't do any harm to anyone (intentionally).
At the same time, I'm aware that will not always be possible and people will refuse to listen and hear.
But hey, we do live in an un-perfect world.

Would it be perfect if we all strived to better ourselves? And as optimistic as I am, I don't really think that will ever be possible. But we could all strive to be better and grow as people.
Eventually the world would be such a better place for our children.


P.S. I don't want to delete my post, but it feels like meanderings without any goal. :)
It also feels like I'm following the footsteps of famous Croatian writers, finding inspiration in wine. :)

Your favourite perfume moment(s)?

I'm finally reading Essence of Perfume by Roja Dove and can't help but ponder the subject.
Not that I don't ponder perfumes as a subject regularly. ;)

But at one point, it hit me.

I have a favourite perfume memory!

It was the moment I smelled Shalimar and fell in love (that wasn't even close to my first try).
Closely followed when the same thing happened with Vent Vert and Chanel 19.

Do you have a favourite perfume moment? More than one?

Some of my thoughts for the freshly anointed (a.k.a budding perfumistas)

There's been a lot of posts written about advice for budding perfumistas, so this is not advice, these are the things I learned in the process of becoming one. :)

1. Once you start calling yourself a perfumista (perfume lover, perfume geek, however you want to call yourself), IT'S FOR LIFE. There is just no way you are going to go back to that time in the past when your nose could distinguish only the most common things. And dismiss them in the next instant.

2. However do you start, ordering an army of samples and getting lost in their perfumed sillage or taking time with one by one, it will still take a couple of years of constant smelling for your nose to learn enough so you can finally smell and name the nuances.

Take your time, the journey is lovely and fragrant.

3. After learning this works for me, I actually read it on one of the perfume blogs as proven fact. Nowadays, when I smell anything, I breathe in several quick breaths instead of one long one. Pretty much like a dog sniffing out something. :) Works much better.

4. Once the fragrant world opens its doors and lets you in, you will be joyfully smelling everything in your path as you probably won't be familiar with the smell of so many things you live surrounded with. And you will start cataloguing them in your mind.

5. Your sense of smell will improve and you'll be able to detect whiffs of things people around you won't be able to smell.

6. Don't got for naturals if you haven't had previous experience with essential oils and are unfamiliar with the way they smell. Naturals are a perfume category for itself.

7. Pretty much the same goes for vintage. It takes time to understand and like perfumes from days past. But you will. :)

8. The perfume community is full of the most lovely people you are ever going to virtually meet (and some of them you might actually meet in real life). Finding beauty in such an ethereal thing like perfume is not something many people actually appreciate and my thoughts run in the vein of perfume people being positive and optimistic to find and actively search for beauty in those little wispy whiffs.

9. Frustration with mainstream will abound. But sometimes, a gem will be found among those shelves of synthetic fruity-florals (or whatever the current vogue).

10. At one point, you will be sure samples procreate and have children of their own. Beacuse they will take over every free space you have (and those that aren't free, too).

11. Don't worry if at one point you lose all enthusiasm for smelling and you feel you'll never get it back. It happens. It also never lasts long. :)

12. Thanks to Undina who reminded me - NEVER SAY NEVER. :) You might think you don't like a perfume family or a single note, but it's just a question of discovering the right perfume that will open the door into the previously forbidden smelly teritorry (you just wait and see). :)


P.S. I plan on updating the list when something new occurs to me.

One of my loves for life - pilates

I'm at a sort of crossroads when it comes to my training routine.
For some 7-8 years I've been going to my local gym for pilates and occasional workout class but always pilates.
And it took me some time to achieve what I thought was a balance, I wasn't as pilates-fit as our trainer but I felt good changes in my body and actually grew a whole centimeter. :)

But for years now, I feel like I'm only maintaining the level I achieved and I can't seem to cross it. Then it dawned on me.
We are a large group there (at least 20, usually more) and our trainer only instructs us, she doesn't go around improving our posture and setting us straight in positions we are supposed to achieve.
And I want to improve - I can feel my spine losing its mobility just for the 3 months I've been away from it.

So, I've decided since I love doing pilates, to go to a real pilates studio and exercise in a small group of 5 where the trainer is always there to make you do the exercise right (and basically torture you). :)

There were 2 studios that  I decided to try and now I'm having a problem. I mean I decided to go to the second one, where they do straight Pilates pilates and not STOTT pilates which seemed interesting to me when I went for a class there.

One of the things I love about both pilates studios I've been to, is that the atmosphere is completely different than from the gym. They are more oriented to the individual and it feels more welcome and you feel like someone is actually paying attention to what you do.
Of course, this is going to cost me twice as much as my usual gym card did, but I'm willing to try and see if it works (and from the 2 classes I've been to, I can't see how it won't).

Hmmm, if you were wondering how did I get to explaining my pilates studio choices from pilates being the love of my life, well it's easy.
I love it so much and I saw that what I did wasn't getting me anywhere, so I decided to change my routine pattern that was a normal part of my life, and go for something new and more demanding.
I am ready to face my new pilates life. Beacuse I love it so much.

And I hope after a few months of training in a little group and learning better pilates postures, I will go for an instructor course.

Beacuse this love of my life brings more fullness to my life the more I invest myself in it. Isn't that what true love is about?


Pic by: http://www.stottpilates.com/

Your nightmare fragrance? Inquiring minds want to know...

My collaborator Asali came with a very good question today, one I haven't yet seen posed anywhere and I like the challenge of answering it. :)

So, the question is, what would be the notes of your nightmare fragrance?

Here is Asali's nightmare fragrance:

Top: Aquatic/ ozone/ tequila (or the wodka note of Ambre Russe!)

Heart: lychee, watermelon, Lily (the indolic-cats-piss-one) and an overdosed Tuberose (like the IPdF)
Base: OUD, and the synthetic white musk. Somewhere in there you can throw some dill and star anise, and I'll be sure to get ill from sniffing it.

I'm almost with her on the notes of her nightmare fragrance, but I adore Ambre Russe (and have to re-smell it now because I've missed the wodka part). :)

Here is mine:

Top: aquatic note, synthetic fruit (berries and peaches usually),
Heart: watermelon, cheap almond note, milk
Base: Synthetic white musk

I shudder just thinking about it.

So, let's hear it - we look forward to the possibilities out there. :)



P.S. I reserve the right to add a note or two to my original thoughts.