kakiphony

In the decant: Coconut scents always run the risk of smelling like suntan lotion to me, but this coconut smells much darker and richer than your typical Banana Boat concoction. Wet on skin: Less rich than in the imp. There's something very sweet and a little chemical like at the top of this that is overpowering the coconut. Sugar cane? Early dry down (about 10-15 minutes): The coconut comes back as this starts to dry down but that higher, sweet smell is still there too. It almost smells carbonated, if carbonation had a smell. It's a fizzy sweet. There's a little bit of musk under there, but this is mainly coconut and sweet. Remember those fizzing candies that were like sweet tarts, but odd flavors and fizzed a bit in your mouth (less fizzy than pop rocks). I think they were called Bottle Caps? This smells like those. Later dry down (about an hour): Sweet, musky vanilla. There is just a little bit of something deep grounding it, almost more like a wood note than any of the listed notes on me. The champaca finally came out just a bit. This pretty, close to the skin, and kissably sweet. Final word: A little girly for me, but pretty. It strikes me as a young lady's take on sensual. I think I might try layering it under Leather Phoenix...

In the imp: Hmm...Vaguely nuttish, maybe like acorn powder? But also with a slight almost alcohol tang. It reminds me of almond extract without actually smelling like almond extract. And yes, I know how confusing that sounds. Wet on skin: Rich and a little spicy. There's a lot of top note herbs going on, but the base has an almost buttery smell/feel to it. There's something a bit high and sweet in there too. Maybe vanilla? Or could that be sap? Early dry down (10 minutes): Sweet, with a rich, deep base that is still a bit buttery, developing some powdery in the top notes.There's a spice in there that reminds me of the inside of the Indian grocer I used to frequent in Boston. All if that said, the first sniff says "men's cologne" to me. The nuances only emerge upon directed sniffing, Late dry down (about an hour): Sort of powdery, spicy vanilla with a little something nutty under it. This does not have great staying powder on me at all, but it's pretty. I think it may be a nice mild scent for the days when I don't feel like a patchouli fiend. I kind of wish I'd gotten a bottle...

2011 Version In the imp: I mainly smell the evergreen with a little bit of herbal, almost lemon-like something at the the base. Wet on skin: This is very astringent citrus on me with hints of something almost minty. I expect that in this wet stage I am amping verbena. Early dry down (10 to 15 minutes later): Still very astringent, but less lemony. It smells like something that, when drunk, would pull all the saliva from your mouth and be quite sour tasting. I'm getting little bursts of juniper, the scent of which I mainly associate with gin. All of these impressions are leading me to think my wrist smells like a rather strong, very herbal, cocktail with a gin base. The evergreen is still present as a top note on top of all that herbal/sour. It's not at all like a perfume, but is somehow pleasant anyway. Late dry down (about an hour and a half): After a while, a lot of the sour/citrus has left. I am now left with what is mostly evergreen (but not the strong, resinous spruce of The Most Magnificent Christmas Tree -- rather, a soft, dry, almost powdery evergreen) tempered with some green herbs and the tiniest touch of citrus and juniper on the very top. This is actually really, really lovely and MUCH more me than it was on the dry down.

In the imp: Wow. This scares me. It smells like the air freshener my grandparents always had in the bathroom of their pop-up camper -- chemical orange and pine. Wet on skin: I am really hoping this morphs because right at the application is a nightmare on me. Really just bad. There's a high, sweet, chemical top note that is all synthetic air freshener and honeysuckle. Beneath that I can start to make out the old man smell that most musks turn into me. At the moment, I'm wondering what possessed me to try this one. (It was the orange blossom, which I love, pine and tobacco. I was hoping those notes would dominate and I'd be left with a deep, earthy pine sweetened with the blossoms.) Early dry down (about 10 minutes): This has mellowed a little, but I am really amping the honeysuckle. It's less chemical-like than it was and actually quite pretty. Of course, I'm not really a fan of pretty florals... Later dry down (about two hours): For such a complex blend his has actually stayed really consistent on me over time: The honeysuckle dominates the top of the blend is far and away the strongest, most lasting note. It's what I smell wafting around me. In order to smell other notes, I have to huff my wrist. Even then, honeysuckle is very dominant, but I do get a slightly deeper, more grounded version of it than I'm getting in the air around me. It's a very rich floral. A floral I can actually stand and doesn't seem to make me sneeze. It's actually quite pretty. The drawback is the it's just not very ME. It's of someone much more feminine -- I see someone in long, floating floral dresses with lush golden hair and clear blue eyes wearing this.

In the imp: A very true to life Christmas tree scent. This is how my living room smelled with the blue spruce in it. Wet on skin: Pine, pine, pine. This really is a very life-like pine, not pine air freshener or fake pine candle. Very fresh, very sappy, very PINE. Early dry down (10 minutes or so): I'm not getting much of the sweet that others have mentioned, or much in the way of base woods yet. I am really amping this top note of pine. My wrists smell like your hands do when you crush spruce needles in your hands -- very sappy and green with that very distinctive pine smell. Later dry down (about an hour): The amp and throw has calmed way down on this. It has sweetened and deepened a bit as the time has gone on. I still get a spicy spruce top note, but as I keep sniffing I get a sweeter wood base - almost like honeyed cedar. It's quite pretty.

In the bottle: The leather is the dominant note in my bottle. Under it, I smell a little Wet on wrist: It goes on leathery and rich, but very quickly something green, herbal and with a touch of wet and citrus rises to the front. I'm betting that's mainly the match tea, although it has a wetter and slightly floral quality that I'm not used to with tea scents. There is also a slight undercurrent of wet dirt. Early Dry Down (about 10 minutes): More leather, but still very aquatic and dirty on me. There's a "perfume" or "cologne" scent that I do believe is the Frankincense. Overall, this is a much colder, damper scent that what I was expected. I'm hoping the leather and woods amp to give this some warmth and depth. At the moment, I'm not loving it. At the 1 hour mark: This blend confuses me. I can normally tell whether I like a blend or dislike it, but this one is just...odd. One one hand, when I huff my wrists I get some really gorgeous leather and cedar -- deep, rich, dry with just a subtle touch of citrus. It reminds me of Aelopile in the best way. But what I smell wafting around me is NOT the scent. The throw is much more perfumey/cologny with a damp, dirty quality that I don't like. It reminds of the Villainess soap Grundy, which my husband loves I hate. (I make him keep it in a ziplock bag in the bathroom!) I think it's a combination of matcha and frankincense that is functioning as a really ampy top-note on me. Oddly, for someone who loves patchouli, I'm getting none of it here. Normally, the lab's patchouli does a spicy morph on me that ends up being both resinous and a bit sweet. But it seems totally overwhelmed by the other notes here. I think I'm going to wash this one off for today and give it another shot later in the month -- perhaps in a locket rather than on my skin. I really want the scent on my skin to amp rather than the top notes I'm getting. I wonder if it will age into it?

1. So... someone has gifted you a $20 gift card from Walgreen's to ONLY use on things for yourself. No necessities here. What do you buy? Depends on whether I'm pmsing or not. If yes, probably chocolate. (My Walgreen's has Green & Blacks dark cocoa and I keep 'em in my desk drawer and eat 1-2 squares a day after lunch. I also love those Lindt squares and the orange and pepper chocolate bars.) If I'm not pmsing, I might actually buy makeup. Maybe an eyeliner or two. I've been occasionally practicing lining my upper lid lately and all I have is a Revlon Timeliner in a sort of neutral brown shade (it's ooooold and probably discontinued). I like that it's soft and not pokey, but I could probably use a different color or two. Either that, or I'd buy more foundation wedges or foundation (Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer in Light to Neutral). 2. I live near a brick and morter location for a really, really good spice store. Would you use cooking spices and if you would, what would you need? (It's Penzey's if you want to Google it.) I am another one who totally loves Penzy's. I love a lot of their blends like Zatar, Rogan Josh, Balti and Garam Masala. I also use a lot of the Adobo, ground chipotle and the smoked Paprika. And I'm sure there are lots of other great ones! 3. Do you like knitted goods? If so, what would you like, what colors, and do you have any sensitivites or preference when it comes to type of yarn (ex: wool: yay or nay? Do you prefer machine washable materials? Do you not care?)? Yes. Yes I do quite like them. The most useful colors for my wardrobe are probably black, scarlet, kelly green, emerald green and turquoise. But I also love all blues, fierce orange, gray and purple. I love all fibers except those that shed (no angora, please!) 4. Hey swap partner... could you use a new mug? I can always use mugs, and also aluminum water bottles. For some reason my husband leaves those all over the country-side. 5. Is there any sort of regional food/drink/treat you miss or have always wanted to try? I can't think of anything in particular, but in general I love regional foods and things that are local to my witch. It's like a vacation in a box! 6. Do you do a Christmas tree? If yes is it themed or specially colored or do you just have all different ornaments and such? Usually we do, although I really want a fake one this year because I am sick of vacuuming needles. It's not themed -- unless you count all of our childhood ornaments as a theme! 7. Would you like a special ornament? Ornaments are always a good present at Christmas. There's no certain special kind I covet though. 8. Tim Tams. Yay or nay? Yay! 9. Now, a question of my own: I know some people are squicked out at the idea of eating things that other people make, or the thought of deep fried cookies sends them into cardiac arrest. If you were my fox, would you like to receive some homemade goodies, or would you prefer that your goodies came from the store? Points to signature... I will eat anything you send me. Truly. 10. Would any Bunny like to receive Holiday serving bowls, trays, platters etc...? Winter/Christmas or Thanksgiving/Fall themed? Bunny would not mind. I don't use them super often, but I do go to holiday parties and occasionally have one of my own. It never hurts to have some nice serving items in the cupboard. I can always use more big bowls too. 11. My lovely fluffy Snow Bunny, would you like a body scrub made by me? If so, what scent(s) would you like, if you had to think along the lines of essential oils? And would you prefer sugar or salt? A dryer scrub or one that's more oily/moist? Absolutely! I like a slightly looser/more oily scrub (think Smooch rather than Smack). I like lavender and orange essential oils and even a little rose. I also like woody/resinous scents. 12. Dear snow bunny, do you like candles? If yes, then what kind? Scented (what scents), unscented, what colors, do you like them plain/painted on the outside/with decorations attached to the surface/sculpted? Pasted from the candle relevant questions from my Hallowe'en round questions: I like the ease of the self contained candle, so I would vote for a jar. Color would matter less to me than scent. I'm imagining something with lavender and lemon which would make my bathroom smell clean and fresh. Maybe some sweet grass or sage thrown in there as well. I really love the Luna scent from Archipelago Botanicals. It's lemon verbena, lavender and thyme -- very clean and fresh. I also love the Stonehenge scent from the same company - smoked cedarwood, bermot and amber. It is very comforting and warm without being cloying. For the Christmas season I also like AB's Black Forest candles which are douglas fir, ebony wood and black currant. From Yankee, I like the Sage Citrus which is also really clean and fresh. 13. Also what do you think of little soaps? I know most people don't use soaps nowadays but I love the chocolate/vanilla/cocoa/butter/sugar combo scents that I see at beauty stores.... I use a TON of bar soap. You can never go wrong sending me soap. 14. Socks! Slippers! Do you love them or not really wear them? If you love them, do you also love Sock Dreams? I have a ridiculous pair of multi-colored crocheted slippers my brother bought for me in a Native village in Alaska. They aren't really warm enough and I often layer then with socks. Slippers and socks are LOVE. And SockDreams is like Planet Love Fest. I covet, covet, covet a lot of their tights (usually the fairly plain black, grey and plain colored ones since I wear them to work. But the subtle patterns of the bamboo ones are just my new favorite thing. And someday I will own wool tights. Yes I will. The preeeeeeecccccciiiiiioooooooouuuuuussssssssssssss.) 15. Would you wear something like this if your Fox were to knit you one? If so, what color? Yes. See the color preferences in answer to #3. I try to keep my wardrobe fairly blendy. 16. New question: talk to me of coffee. Whole bean? Ground? Flavored, not flavored? Decaf, whole caff? Favorite roasters? Drip, french press, keurig? BRING ON THE TEA? Whole bean coffee, not flavored. I like African blends. But really, TEA is my thing. I tend to drink 1-2 cups per day, usually oolong or black (or flavored black). 17. Who else here loves or would like to try Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics? If so, what would you like? Not for me, thanks. 18. Have you tried anything from Cocoa Pink and if so, what products and scents do you like or would like to try? Never tried anything. Her drama makes me shudder. 19. Anybody into nail polish? Any color or formula preferences? I don't really paint my nails. It makes them feel suffocated. 20. If you found a $50 bill on the ground and were to place a Lab order, what would be in it? (And shipping is free through the magical BPAL unicorn!) Cut and pasted from Hallowe'en round: $50, huh?... Ok, here's the breakdown (I did three, one for bpal, one for bptp and one for the ideal world where you could combine orders from both sites) BPAL 1 imp pack -$22 Contents: White Rider, Red Rider, Black Rider, Tombstone, Anne Bonnie & War Then I would dither between a bottle of Safari ($28) and a replacement bottle of Vixen ($17.50). But, in the end, I'd probably go with Vixen so I had that extra $10 to buy two or three (depending on whether I want to come in just under or just over the $50) more imps: Velvet, Suhha Segara and O BPTP Soap: Port au Prince, Shub, & Snake oil ($8.50 x 3= $25.50) Librarian t-shirt ($20) Then I'd throw in a couple of magnets to get me to $50 Combined 1 imp pack as above ($22) Soap: Shub (but I'd dither between that and P au P) Bottle of Vixen 21. Is there any particular holiday DVD that you don't have that you would like to own? I wouldn't mind having Miracle on 34th Street (the OLD version). 22. How do you feel about superheros? Are you a Marvel or DC fan? Do you have a favorite hero? I am ambivalent. I mean, I like them, but have no allegiances. 23. Would my bunny like anything in particular from Lush? I do have access to an actual Lush store, and also wouldn't mind ordering retro items online. There is a too-long list in my Swap Faery Help post which is linked in my signature. 24. Would you like a Paintbox from Paintbox Soapworks? If so, which scents? If I had to make my own combination it would actually end up looking very similar to The Old Masters Set. Definitely Charming Man, Blackbird and Englishman; but I might swap out Dead Leaves and GFM for Queen is Dead and Beet It or Gingermilk. 25. Do you have kids (or kid-like pets) who your fox may want to take into account, either in terms of a little extra goody or simple safety? There is only J, and he'll totally just take whatever he wants anyway. (Food items and bar soap get shared between us automatically.) 26. How do you feel about honey/beeswax? Would you like any? Hmm...interesting honey would be appreciated, but I'm not sure what I'd do with beeswax. 27. Are you a Trader Joe's fan, who either doesn't have a store nearby or just loves their stuff and has a wishlist? I miss TJs. I became addicted in law school and have been essentially without for YEARS. We usually make at least one four hour car trip a year just because we can. I especially love and miss: the nuts! (Thai Lime Chili Cashews and sesame honey cashews are freaking amazing. The plain Wasabi Almonds and plain Tamari are also good, but the Wasabi Tamari are out of this world.) I also adore a lot of their sauces (Moroccan Tangine, Thai Peanut, Punjab Spinach, all three colors of Thai sauce and Tahini rock my socks). Lots of the wine is more than drinkable for the price (dry, dry, DRY wine). The cheese and frozen stuff is also fantastic, but much less shippable. 28. The Paintbox Soapworks Yules are up, or at least round one is (updates coming throughout the week). Interested in anything? I think Yuletide Mariner sounds pretty fab and Snoggin sounds nice and comforting. I've actually never tried her stuff, so I have no preferences for soap vs. scrub etc. except to say that washy things like soaps and scrubs get used more than pampering things like lotions or creams. 29. If I were to place ONE LAST Weenie order, (uh, which I will) what would you want me to include for you? (presuming that is that the order can get here in time, bites nails) I honestly didn't even read the 'weenies very closely this year to avoid temptation. 30. Will you be away for any part of the round? I don't think so, but if a mini-vacation materializes, I'll be sure to let my fox know. 31. Anyone else with an Etsy store and a member of Tradeaholics (or you could join) and interested in bartering for gifts for their bunny? Everything in my shop is up for trade. I'm not a member and am not crafty. 31. What type of books do you like? Dying to read anything? My amazon list is linked in my questionnaire. 32. If you like Christmas music (or any other holiday music, for that matter), what kind of style do you like? Traditional? Modern and poppy? Indie? Answered on original questionnaire. 33. Do you enjoy things that taste like roses? For example chewing gum, turkish delight, delicious goo that you eat by the spoonful out of a glass jar (and they all taste of rose. Yes, we have all these in Greece.) I have never tried any, but would be game. 34. Also, same question about mastic. Would you be interested in trying it out? (If yes, any preferences? for example you wold prefer to try the chewing gum, the turkish delight, an Easter bun (I can go hunting, some companies make them all year round although it's not the same as the bakery Easter ones ), the raw resin itself, anything?) See above. 35. i live in the city of the chicken wing. if i were to send you something savory, what's your heat tolerance (or sweet and heat for that matter). Pretty darn hot. Not inferno, but above medium. If your fox/bunny were to gift you with a giftcard from anywhere, as in any store foodwise, music wise etc. what giftcard would you like? Amazon is by far the most practical because it can go to kindle titles or other random items. I'd also be all over one to a favorite e-tailer, like Villainess, Elements & Artifacts, Mother Moon Gems, Joystreet or Orbiting Saturn Designs. Or sock dreams, because a girl can always use more black tights. My numbering got all buggered up when I left for my anniversary. Sorry. If I miss anything you need, dear Fox, please just let me know (sneakily, of course!) If I were to send you chocolate is there anything I should avoid as in nuts, cherries etc.? Also, what are some of your favorite holiday candies? Nothing to avoid, although I'm not super fond of gummies or marshmallows (marshmallow cream I love, but regular marshmallows taste like foam). I like toffee, fudge, peanut butter fudge, caramels (salted for the win!) as well as spiced nuts. Does anything from Fusion Sweets interest you? All of the caramels look amazing and even though I just said I don't love marshmallows, the orange-chocolate ones look interesting. The lollypops don't really do anything for me. Interested in anything from the Elements and Artifacts Yule update? I think I have favorited most things on etsy. I'm feeling a little guilty for not ordering the necklace that matched the earrings I snagged, but I'm glad to see someone else loved it. Really, I love all Alicia's stuff. Of course, I also really love items from some of our other jewelry makers on etsy (MotherMoon, Orbiting Saturn Designs and JoyStreet.) Do you prefer dark or milk chocolate? Generally dark, although I will eat either. reveal, yes or no? That is entirely up to my fox and I will be happy either way. Any favorite cuddly characters? My husband? Umm...I like foxes. And rabbits. Moxie Nouveau groupon? Groupon? What? There was a groupon? I have never tried her scents, but the few I have sniff tested have been nice. The customs seem especially interesting. what's your favourite colour? Teal. Or scarlet. or black. Or electric blue. Unless it's kelly green. Or flame orange.... Your favourite gemstone? I don't really have one. I like blue tones, green and flame tones. Also, amber. And pearls. Really, I like it all except really brown/muddy stones. Your favourite animal (real or imaginary)? Foxes! (Also, rabbits.) And do you have any intense phobias? Nope. Are you Nano-ing this month, bunny? If so, how would you feel about merch/donations to the cause? I am not participating. Do you like/need boxes for perfume/knicknacks? I can always use boxes, but they are more apt to be for things like jewelry (earring and necklace storage of some sort would be aces) than perfume. What are your opinions on traditional holiday cookie flavorings? I'm thinking anise and cardamom in particular. Love Do you like artisan oils and vinegars? Yes. Bunny, could you use a 2012 calendar, and, if so, do you like big monthly ones or the page-a-day type? I actually just bought this one for my office. Charity gifts? Either fair-trade type stuff, or virtual type gifts, like vaccinations or school supplies being bought on your behalf, or something along those lines? I heart all those options. Bunny, are you interested in tarts from Two Timing Tart? What scents, if any, are you interested in? I do not have a tart burner. Do you need any holiday recipies? Is there something in particular that you'd like baked or made for you? And for those of you doing the no sugar/low sugar, etc. thing these days, how about savory things? I do not have any requests, but sweet or savory are both appreciated. Speaking about candles, how much do you look forward to the BPTP candles that will be launched on Etsy? I don't know if there will be other scents than the Samhain and Pumpkin Cookie one, but is there a specific one you are longing for? I am interested in them, especially Samhain. My usual scent preferences will guide my squee. Does anyone have issues with gently used things like books, etc.? I love gently used everything. Are you a big ol' nerd for any particular subject? Science, math, linguistics, etc? Or particular authors/fandoms? Not really, although I do love things about food and the local food movement. Bunnies, how do you feel about lemon-flavored items, like lemon marmalade, lemon curd, lemon pound cake, or lemon cookies? Love them. fingerless mittens or full mitts? Fingerless for work and house wear. Full for actually being outside. Do you like coin purses? Yes. Although, I tend to lose them and use them for things other than coins (like earrings or hair ties or safety pins or credit cards). Right now I am carrying this big wallet in the Jade/Orange color with the matching little orange coin purse. But the coin purse is my credit card holder, so change is loose in my big bag. If your fox were to knit something for you, would it be a lacy shawl or a pair of socks? Either would be fabulous! I will say that socks would probably get MORE use, but a shawl would not be LOVED any less. Also, the non-lacy shawls someone posted are extra fabulous because they look nice and warm. Would anyone else be interested in a soap dish or something like that? I do not need one. I have three of the metal ones Villainess used to sell and they are the best ever. They keep the soap up out of water and their open mesh design prevents any water from pooling and helps the soap dry quickly. I am so sad they don't carry them any more because I loved giving them as presents with the soap! Are there any Yules from *PAST* years that you're interested in trying? Including past winter inquisitions? I can't think of any, but I have a new appreciation for pine/woodsy scents, especially paired with "cold." I wouldn't mind trying some of the old ones along those lines. Are you a Harry Potter fan? If so, which house do you identify with, and why? Would you want knitted things/replicas/accessories in your house colours? I have always thought of myself as a Ravenclaw. That said, I got sorted as Slytherin at Pottermore and don't think it's wrong. I could rock out either house scarf. Let's talk about fruit! Do you like dried fruit or h ate it? Like some but not others? I like almost all dried fruit except bananas. Those are just ick. How do you feel about cherries? Prefer the sweet or tart versions? Dried? Jam? Salsa? Hot sauce? BBQ sauce? I live in the land of cherries (hence, why I asked this), so please don't send me any! What is your general philosophy about patterns for accessories such as socks, scarves, and tights? Do you like solids? Stripes? Polka dots? Weird patterns like harlequin-type stuff? Any of the above? I like both solid and pattern. Striped socks are a wardrobe staple for me. chile, yay or nay? I am very pro chile. I love chili in chocolate (and hot cocoa) as well as in lots and lots of savory foods. We bought some really excellent chile flakes and powder last time we were in New Mexico and I am sad that the bags are getting low. I also cook with a lot of smoked chiles (everything from paprika to adobo and chipotle). Would you rather have an early reveal, or would you prefer one close to the end of the round? This is totally up to my witch. I really have no preference. In most SW rounds I've personally sent out 2-4 boxes and revealed at the end. However, because of how this round is structured, I think I'm going to do one box at the end. But hopefully my bunny will know I exist long before then, even if zie doesn't get mail for a while!

In the imp: Leather, but sharp and with a bit of cologney feel to it. Wet on skin: Leather -- not deep and rich, but fresh fresh and stiff -- with something almost citrus-like behind it. Early dry down (about 10 minutes): This has already faded to become a very subtle skin scent on me. I'm not getting much throw at all. The leather has become deeper and a touch sweet, and there is just a touch of tobacco. This smells like I imagine the inside of the closet of someone like Allan Quatermain. Late dry down (about 45 minutes to an hour): This has faded to almost nothing on me. I guess I have to slather it. It's very sad because when I get up close to my wrist, what lingers is a nice, warm, slightly rugged leather with a hint of sweetness and woody tobacco.

Continuing in a second post in case there really is a length limit: Do you like scary books? What's the best/scariest thing you've ever read? Sure! Or, at least I like them better than scary movies. I'm not a huge gore person, but psychological and mystery with slight horror overtones are cool with me. I don't love Stephen King although I did love The Eye of the Dragon and about 75% of the Dark Tower series. Are you interested in anything in the latest round of Lab auctions on eBay? I don't look at them so as to avoid temptation. What favorite song(s) would you think would translate into a cool or unique scent? Hmm...???? As with paintings, I fear that if translated into scent in any way that would make sense they wouldn't smell so good on me. I do think a scent based The Gambler could be cool: The scent of a warm summer's evening, leather train seats, well handled cards, a bottle of whiskey and cigarette smoke. Anyone interested in VApothecary's Halloween update? Again, I didn't look. But just because I don't look doesn't mean I wouldn't like something. It just means I can't be specific because I try to avoid temptation. On any of these, if there's something you think I would love, I would be game. Interested in anything from the Beaver Moon Lunacy update? The beaver traditionally is way too sweet for me. I sent you with $20 into a drugstore/Walmart (nothing too fancy/imported/expensive, just your average selection), and you are restricted only to the candy aisle. What would you blow it on? The higher end chocolate bars: Green & Black, Ghiradelli squares or Lindt orange or chili. What is your favorite kind of cookie? I don't really have one. I love warm chocolate chip ones, toffee ones, snickerdoodles, shortbread, etc. How many boxes are you hoping for? I have no preference and already feel plenty spoiled. How do you feel about loose leaf tea in baggies? I mean, I have a TON of loose leaf, would it be okay if I send you samples in some zip lock baggies? Or is that something that would squick you out? It would not squick me in the slightest, although I would appreciate it being labeled. How would you feel about getting a custom poster with your favorite quote on it and some cool graphics? I'm an architecture student and can print posters (provided I make them) at pretty much any size using Adobe Illustrator at a low price. Also if you would be interested in this, what quotes would you like? It sounds cool, but I have no idea what I would pick! Is there anything you would want from NYCC, something you'd like your witch to ask me to pick up? Not in particular. The best thing I ever ate...: Pumpkin creme brulee. Or really good parmesan cheese. Mac using witchees, what computers do you use? What peripherals/accessories do you have and what would you LIKE to have? What do you use your computer for? I have a MacBook Pro and an oooooooooold Shuffle. Supposedly I'm getting an iPhone this month (the 4, not the 4S). Do you like listening to audiobooks? Would you like to receive one, and if you would, what sort of audiobook would you like--or is there a particular audiobook you've been meaning to get? I do like them. I find that I actually dislike novels and prefer memoir/biography type audio books. Do you like liquorice? If so, hard or soft? Sweet or salt? Normally salted or so salt it pulls your face into a fishy shape? And which shapes do you like? Like, but not love. But I also like all kinds -- salted is kind of a cool and unusual treat. Black and red are both a-ok. Are there any DIY / Crafty / Free / Budget items you'd love to get but haven't noted yet? (Or, maybe you'd just like to emphasize something you may have only noted in passing?) Can't think of anything... Do you own a DSLR camera? Are you interested in a minky camera strap like these? What about anything from Photojojo? My camera is a 5 year old digital elph and is not worth a strap. Is anybody else into film photography? Interested in receiving film, supplies, etc from Lomography? I actually know how to hand develop and everything, but haven't owned a film camera in years and years. :sigh: College memories. My only C was in my independent study photography class. Are you musically inclined? Do you play an instrument or sing? If so, what? I am the opposite of musical. Does anyone else like collector Barbies? I think some are neat, but I'm not a collector. What small everyday items would you like, that you keep forgetting to get? ??? I have no idea. The lint roller idea was good though. I always need those. And toothbrushes! Tarot No thanks. I have a set and don't need another. Tell me about something you like, and why you like it. Books! Because they take me outside my own life and entertain me. If you're the MMU type of Witchee, what Geek Chic Cosmetics tickle your fancy? I don't know what MMU is. Would any witchees be interested inQuinn Popcorn? Similarly, I have no idea what that is. Who likes silly items from Archie McPhee??? The useful ones. Nocturne Alchemy's NAlloween Pt. 2 update is live here! (And for a few days, last month's update too.) What do you want? ??? I refuse to look on the grounds that I don't need temptation. What are you drooling over from the Sock Dreams Halloween stuff? The stuff I liked best is now sold out. Silly me for not looking sooner. I do like the OTC skulls. Luck charms? I used to carry crystals in my bra. I haven't carried anything in ages. I'd love a St. Christopher medal for flying. For those of you that like candles, do you like stuff from Yankee Candle? And if you had to choose, tarts or candles? Candles. I do like some of their scents, but I HATE the store. It gives me allergy attacks to smell so many smells in one place. (I can't go in Bath and Bodyworks either.) Is there a movie you want so badly that you don’t own now? Not that can think of. Is there a song on Itunes that you haven’t downloaded yet? Nope Is there a rare book you’ve always wanted? Not always, but I can't find my copy of The Stray (by Betsy Wyeth) and it's bumming me out. Is there anything you want to buy yourself but have been too embarrassed (R rated or pg)? Umm...yes. And that's all I'm saying. Have you seen the Lush holiday update? Do you like the look of anything from there? I have not looked. See my prior statements about not need temptation. if you were my witchee, would you want some of my hot nuts my candied nuts my nuts covered in butter and brown sugar candied walnuts? Yes! October 1st Is there anything you either didn't like or had never heard of that you're now curious to try thanks to the discussion in this thread? I can't think of anything, but ????? maybe there was? If so, I probably already mentioned it in the questions on this blog. Would you be interested in the #occupywallstreet scent? A sniffie/decant, but not a whole bottle. Do Paintbox Soapworks' Goat's Milk Hand and Body Creams sound like something you'd like to try? I could use a good non-greasy hand cream for my desk drawer at work for the winter. I need cream after washing my hands or they crack. Witchee, would you like anything from this particular Haunt update? Not in particular. In fact, I didn't even look at it so as not to be tempted. In general, I'm sure I'd love the same stuff from her I would from anywhere else: Soap, scrubs, etc. But I have no burning desire. Who's interested in Halloween: Montreal? Interested to sniff, but pretty sure it wouldn't actually work on me. You get a package in the mail containing 3 things you have really wanted more than anything else you've mentioned so far in this thread. (they are all reasonably priced of course! ~$20 or less apiece). What are they? Answered in thread as follows: 1) The practical answer: Tights. Black or subtle patterns (work appropriate). Warm is a bonus. (Size small or a/b or whatever.) (I will be buying these for myself, but I can never have too many pairs. I wear skirts about 2 days out of 5 in the winter and I always wear tights with them.) 2) The obvious answer: Bar soap. I don't care where it's from as long as it smells nice. (There is nothing I use up faster than bar soap.) 3) ??? I'm having trouble coming up with a third thing. Something beautiful or tasty? Jewelry? A scarf? A print? Some tea? Hot cocoa? Caramels? Dark chocolate? Crackers? Olives? You decide what that is! how do you feel about hemp? jewelry, soap, etc? Not so keen on the jewelry but soap would be cool. What kind of purse do you prefer? Leather, cloth? over the shoulder or crossbody, or something that can do either? Do you like bold bright prints with fun things, or monochrome, solid colours? This is a complicated question. Much more so than it should be. For work: I prefer a bag large enough to hold all my usual purse stuff PLUS my 15" MacBookPro PLUS a decent sized tupperware container (for my lunch) PLUS a pair of shoes. Right now I am carrying Queen Bee Bags market tote which, sadly, seems to be a discontinued style. It's probably about the size of a Trucker but rather than having a messenger bag flap the top is open (closes with two snaps) and has like their fabric totes (which seem to be a bit larger. It's bright red vinyl with an adorable blue and green vine design. I <3 it. The only drawback is that because the top stays open, it's vulnerable to rain. Also, the handles are a wee bit too short when I wear my big winter pea coat. I have determined that I do like a tote style better than a messenger because I find the flaps on a messenger to be a pain. However, I do like the messenger style straps. Why does no one make a tote with a cross-body strap? For everyday: I prefer a smaller bag (no computer or shoes to log around!), but one that is still big enough for: My pocket book (the blast bird in jade/orange), a travel umbrella, and my kindle and/or a decent sized book plus random crap. Currently, I carry an old Victorinox black bag which is an earlier (like 6+ years old) version of the Teardrop Monosling. It is the most functional bag I have ever owned and will probably out-live me. The biggest drawback is that it is just not cute. (Also, I kind of wish the strap was designed so that the bag was carried at the hip rather than behind me. It's a pain to have to drag it around every time I want in it. If it carried at the hip, I could get in and out of it without having to take it off or pull it around and strangle myself.) In general things that get a bag bonus points for me: Bright colors; Subtle, cheeky or non-twee patterns; washable; the ability to be carried cross body OR over the shoulder; padded or ergonomic straps (but by adjusting the strap -- two sets of straps is ugly); an easily reachable pocket for my cell phone and keys (the Victorinox WINS at this with the cell phone pouch on the strap); at least one zipper pocket; being water proof/resistant or having at least one such pocket. julep maven monthly boxes: I do not know what this is. Your favorite restaurant or type of food to eat out. Would you use a restaurant.com voucher? Groupon? I would, but I don't do chain restaurants and my area is not exactly online deal friendly. Like commercial socks? What does that mean? Socks with cartoon characters? No. Brand name socks? SmartWool is the best thing ever. What kind of bear is best? I answered this in the thread, but in general ???? Who the heck differentiates bear varieties within a swap? This question is just bizarre. Is anyone interested in reading The Night Circus? Sure? Hershey's Pumpkin Spice kisses? They sound kind of foul. I have a not-so-secret love for The Broship of the Rings. Are there any prints from her store you'd like? Nope. Who here likes Stephanie Pui-Min Law's artwork? Never hear of her before this thread. Do you drink wine? Yes but NOT sweet wine. Is it just me who is nervous at revealing herself to her witchee, and finding out who her witch is?! I have nerves of steel. Witches, did you lament NOT getting one of the condom case/imp cases that got released with the courtesan series??? No. They were cool, but not work appropriate. I recently saw candy corn in non-candy corn flavors like CHOCOLATE and CARAMEL APPLE. It's not a fancy brand, I just saw it in the drugstore, but who here would like something like that? Ugh. No candy corn of any stripe thanks. JONES SODA CO has LE soda packs for The Guild, Buffy, D&D, So Cute, etc. Would you be interested in these, Witchee? Sadly, no. I try really hard not to drink soda. If you sent these, J would snarf them and he REALLY needs to lay off the soda. It'sBanned Books Week! Are there any books on the list you'd be interested in checking out? Any I haven't read. I think my amazon wishlist if pretty up to date. I have just been enlightened to THESE. Are these flavors relevant to your interests? Maybe Dead Sexy, Rose Citrus or Clove? I'm just afraid these would make me lick my lips, which just makes dryness worse. What is something people are always surprised to learn about you? I am a high school drop-out. (I left to go to college after my sophomore year.) So who else watched Babylon 5? Me. Sorta. I watched a few seasons and then had no cable. I'm trying a rewatch now, but season 1 is slower than I remembered. If you had to decide what your stripper name was, what would it be? I have no idea. Sooooo Witchees, have you ever taken that particular personality test? If so, are you an Analytical, a Driver, an Expressive or an Amiable? It said expressive. I have no idea if that's right or not. Is anyone else afraid of or creepy out by dummies/puppets/Muppets/etc? Other things you're squicked/freaked by that's best left by the wayside? I'm not really freaked out by much. what level of contact were you hoping for? I really and truly did not care. Your favorite restaurant or type of food to eat out. Would you use a restaurant.com voucher? Groupon? I like all food, which seems like a cop-out answer, but it's not. Really, I just like GOOD food. That tends to mean ethnic or food from small, non-chain restaurants. Here in TC some of my favorites are Patisserie Amie, 7 Monks ('cause J works there), Bay Leaf, Stella, Amical, Zakey's, Thatsa' Pizza, Red Ginger and Firefly. In Fort Collins I used to love Lucile's, Fish, Charco-Broiler, Austin's, Coopersmith's, etc. I like coupons quite a bit, but they rarely have them for the kind of places I like to go. Are there any local museums/attractions you keep never getting around to going to? I don't think we have many "attractions" besides the train in the park and the state parks! Is there any kind of international candy you love or would like to try? I'm not picky. If my witch loves it, I might too! From the the UK/Australia I like flake and Time Out Bars and Aero Bars (espe. mint and orange sounds good). Is there any cheesy/non-cheesy Canadian stuff you'd be interested in? Umm...??? Maple syrup? Wine? Whisky? I'm honestly not sure what is uniquely Canadian. If my is Canadian s/he could teach me! If you were to go here and create your very own chocolate bar, what might it have in it? Answered in thread where I said peppers /w raspberry or orange w/ ginger. DARK. Is there anything you're wanting from LPMP? Nope. I'd never heard of them to be honest. say you stumbled into Camp Half Blood (or whatever the Roman camp ends up being named <bounces in anticipation>), which god claims you? I'd want to say Athena, but really probably someone completely unexpected. Maybe Hades! Is there anything you'd like from the Mütter Museum Store? I can't think of anything, but I've never been there so...???? I just noticed that Cocoa Pink has 5 ml Perfume Atomizers. Yay or nay? Scents you would like? Scents you would NOT like? Sadly, I would not use one. 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? I'm not sure I have anything to cover... Would you like a photo collage based around your interests/favorite colors/favorite themes? Any art my witch makes for me will be loved. If you're crafty, are you interested in spoonfeather? And if so, what things there delight your eyes? I am not crafty, but custom fabrics make me wish I was! (Yes, I may have spent more than a few hours there designing fabrics for the corsets, jackets and skirts I will never actually be able to sew for myself.) Colors! What are your favorite colors and what colors do you not like? Pictures and links, people! I like jewel tones and bright colors. I loathe brown. What is your favorite word? I don't have one. What are the feelings on arm warmers? Color, style, texture, length? I think they're nifty, but have never owned a pair. Therefore I do not have any set preferences. Do you like tarts? tealights? jar candles? votives? I tend to like candles that are self contained so I don't have to get wax off a bowl or plate. So jars are great, as are votives that come in a holder. I no longer own a tart burner. What's your favorite flavor? Sour, sweet, bitter, salty? Umami! Really, I'm a savory girl rather than a sweet one. So out of your list, salty would be closest. So, are there any online gaming witchees who covet purchasable in-game items or other gamer-y stuff? (yup, geek question) I don't online game, so no. Anyone doing anything cool for Mabon (or the start of fall, if you aren't pagan? Maybe babysit? What is your favorite coffee blend at Starbucks? If you don't have one, what is your favorite roast of coffee? I do not have one. But I tend to like medium roasts (so not too light, but also not burnt) although I do like a dark roast Ethiopian. However, at Starbucks I am partial to chai and to the Earl Grey lattes thing they don't advertise any more. Was it called a London Fog? It was yummy. Also, the dear, departed spiced apple cider which was apple cider, chai spice and whipped cream. Stuff you've been meaning to do: Get a hair cut (trim), mow the lawn (it's been wet), wash windows in preparation for storm windows, but the plastic kits to insulate storm windows and measure and buy insulated curtains. Would you be interested in regional jams, jellies, or other preserves? Yes! Do you have any bedtime rituals? Is there any particular product you have to apply or a certain shirt you wear or an act you perform to get you in the "bedtime" mood? Besides washing my face and flossing + brushing my teeth, not really. Are you interested in today's/any recent Tee Fury shirts? I don't know what day that was asked and I really don't keep track of them from day to day. If my witch is into them and sees one s/he thinks is perfect, I know I'd love it. But I probably won't watch them or make notes about any I think are awesome. Princess Bride? Yay or nay? Yay. I have the book, but not the movie. What's your favorite classic fairytale, witches I don't have a single favorite. I do like the Grimm Brothers versions. how do you feel about ethical animal fiber, i.e. wool and the like? Just fine. What about little wee creatures for your desk or mantel? Probably not. Look down. What are you wearing, right now? I answered this in the thread over the weekend, but I'll answer again now since I think the contrast (or lack thereof) between work me and weekend me might be interesting. From the bottom up: Black Naturalizer flat MaryJanes; black argyle socks, black and white houndstooth plaid slacks, a black drapey necked long sleeved shirt (old, from Banana Republic but looks a lot like this with a slightly higher neckline), a charcoal grey wool overshirt from Eileen Fisher (can't find a picture, but it's styled like a classic button down shirt, but made from lightweight merino suiting material so it's clearly a casual jacket-like piece), and red blood drop earrings from Elements and Artifacts. Kerchiefs? They look cool, but would undoubtedly slide out of my hair like everything else does. A stocking cap works better because I can rug it down. It's the weekend, and you find yourself without a single chore or responsibility for a few hours. Right this very moment, what's the one thing you would do if you could do anything? Either read or watch an episode of a show that I am behind on (most likely Sons of Anarchy or In Plain Sight at the moment.)

Switch Witch Questionnaire Censored the first section for posting on the blog. My Witch should have it. It has not changed. ==================== Basic Info Birthday: August 9 Pets: None Children: None Religious orientation: ???? None? Roman Catholic? I have no idea most days. Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving -- all the good food and none of the stress of gift-giving to people I don’t know/like, and no religious component about which to feel conflicted. Occupation/Major in school: I was a lawyer. Now I am a fundraiser/grant writer for a private arts camp/boarding high school. Living arrangement (by yourself, with roommates, etc): With my husband, the infamous J. Livejournal/Blog/Website: http://kakiphony.livejournal.com/ (It’s mostly friends-locked, but I friend all bpal people.) I’m also kakiphony on twitter. Organizations/Causes/Activities (Things you belong to or causes you believe in): The arts, public libraries, land conservation, solar energy and community theatre. BPAL Favorite BPAL oils: Vixen, Hetairae, Tintagel, O, Sudha Segara, Samhainophobia, the Lion, Anne Bonnie, Spanked, TKO, Safari and Lucifer Favorite notes: Patchouli, orange blossom, ginger, honey, non-cherry pipe tobacco, leather, deep woods, rich and spicy vanillas Favorite non-BPAL perfumes: Hippie Chic by DSL. I used to like Devilish by Arcana, but lately it seems cloying. Least favorite notes: Most florals (I tend to like fruit blossoms, but no other florals) and all aquatic notes. I loathe cherry. All musk except red turns old man on me. Least favorite non-BPAL perfumes: ??? I have no idea. I don’t really wear perfume except bpal and DSL. If Beth made a custom blend for you, what would the notes be, and what would you want the label art to look like?: The base would be bpal’s amazing patchouli and a little leather or a deep wood (cedar?). Over the top it would have something for sweetness and femininity (bourbon vanilla? honey? a sweet fruit blossom floral? all of those?) with a little spice to make it interesting (ginger? cinnamon? saffron?) It would be kin to Vixen (but more refined and less obviously sexy) and Hetairae (but a little kickier from spice). I’ve often described my favorite bpals as if they are pieces of jewelry: Vixen is a big pendant made of carnelian or garnet or ruby that rests in my cleavage and Hetairae is a classic pearl necklace. My signature scent would be a delicate and feminine yet warm and fiery statement necklace. Something like this: http://www.etsy.com/transaction/41295233 or this: http://www.etsy.com/transaction/57593232 The art would be a portrait of me -- but looking gorgeous! Clothing & Jewelry Hair type: Long, fine, relatively thin and very, VERY straight. I wear it up a lot, but need really small scale hair accessories because there is so little of it. I often have two small braids in the front that I then pull back with the rest of the loose hair in clips with the clasp like on this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/81299408/hair-barrette?ref=cat3_gallery_10 Skin Type: Sensitive/combination Allergies (specifically B&B related): None Other things to avoid: None. I’m easy. Really. Tub, shower or both? Both. Favorite bath & beauty products: For baths, my husband and I go through a lot of bar soap and really love nicely scented ones. Favorites include Villainess, Prairieland Herbs and Faerie Made. I’ve wanted to try Paintbox for a while. Really, most of the handmade soap places from etsy and local farmer’s markets appeal to me. I also like scrubs (Villainess is my traditional favorite, but I’m game to try anything) and bath oils/bubble baths. I’m not a big lotion person because I‘m generally too short on time in the morning to use it! Clothing Style/Fave garments: I’m a fairly conservative dresser with occasional moments of flair. In the non-summer months I tend to wear a lot of silk and knit scarves and dress up my business-casual with fun jewelry. I wear a lot of merino wool turtlenecks, long sleeved t’s, plain skirts and jeans. I’d LIVE in a black turtleneck sweater if I could. I love, love, good tights! Favorite clothing colors/colors to wear: My wardrobe mainly consists of black, with red, plum, green, turquoise and bright blue as accents. Type(s) of jewelry worn: I wear lots of necklaces and earrings -- very few bracelets because they never come small enough for my wrists and the only rings I wear are my wedding and engagement rings. Ring/wrist/collar size: My ring fingers are a small 5, but those are taken. For other fingers I would guess a ., Wrist: 6.5 inches with the tape flush, Neck: 13 inches with the tape flush. My favorite necklaces tend to be between 16 (the ones I wear with open neck shirts) and 18-20 (the ones I wear with turtlenecks only). Jewelry - gold or silver? Either or! I also like bronze. Do you have any allergies to metal?: Nope. Favorite gemstones: I go in two directions: Very cool and/or very fiery. I love green and blue stones (jade, emerald, peridot, turquoise, etc) but also warm fiery ones (carnelian, garnet, ruby, citrine, etc). I also like pearls. I also like the occasional amethyst. Really, I’m not picky. Sock/Shoe Size: I wear a US 6.5 or 7 shoe. My feet are rather narrow, so socks with lots of stretch are good. Lifestyle Style/home decoration style: None? I’m not a decorator. I hate to dust and most decorations seem to require it. Our house has art on the walls, but no knick-knacks. The only holiday decorating I do is a Christmas tree. Favorite decorating colors: Red for accents and pale/cool tones (grey, blue, etc) for the walls. Things you collect: I am trying very hard to stop collecting books. Truthfully, I’m not a “collector” of things. I acquire things I love (see: books, scarves, jewelry), but don’t set out to collect any of it. The closest I come is micro-brewery/bar t-shirts. I tend to buy one whenever I visit a new place. Favorite music: I have eclectic tastes: Americana, alt-country, folk, folk-rock, 80s pop and punk, 90s grunge, etc. Least favorite music: Nashville country Vegetarian/Vegan?: (Please be as specific as possible to reduce confusion!) Nope. I am omnivorous. Other food restrictions: None. Favorite flavors: I don’t play favorites. But some things I particularly love include: olives, tahini (and hummus with lots of tahini), smoked fish, avocados, dried fruit, beets, ginger, dark chocolate, cashews, almonds, raspberry, mango, cheese and dill. Favorite foods/drinks: I love oolong and black teas. I’m also a huge beer and wine nut. See above for some favorite foods. Really, there’s not much I don’t like except sweet pickles! Favorite authors/genres: I read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy and “literary” fiction. I also like memoir, especially food/travel memoir. Least favorite authors/genres: I don’t read a lot of fact heavy non-fiction, but really I’ll read anything. Books/authors you'd like to read, but haven't yet: I’ll attach links to wishlists at the end. There are too many books I want to read to list them all out. How do you feel about receiving gently used books as gifts? I LOVE it. Love with a big fat hug and smooch love. I also love kindle books or .pdf files. Favorite stores (including clothing stores): Brick and mortar stores I love visiting include Trader Joe’s, TJ Maxx (I’m a bargain shopper, when I shop), book stores, independent tea/coffee stores, massive liquor stores and tiny artist’s boutiques. The truth is, I’m not much of a shopper except online. Favorite online stores (including B&B stores): I love: Etsy(!), Villainess, Garnet Hill, Sock Dreams, Territory Ahead, ModCloth (I never buy, but I drool), Soap Box, Elementals, Lush, Fantasy Bath, Sierra Trading Post, Powell’s and Amazon. And many more that my brain is running away from right now lest I do something bad like go and shop! Magazines you subscribe to: None Magazines you like, but don't subscribe to: Vanity Fair, Cook’s Illustrated. I also love Apex and really need to buy a kindle subscription at some point, although I’m sad Cat V. is no longer editing. Favorite movies: The Linguini Incident, Grosse Pointe Blank, The Big Chill Favorite TV show(s): Intelligence, Buffy, Twin Peaks, Deadwood, Arrested Development, Jonathan Creek, the first few seasons of Monarch of the Glen Hobbies/crafts done: None. I am the anti-crafter who has hands made entirely of thumbs. But I SO admire others’ crafting skills. I would kill to be able to knit or make jewelry. Wishlists BPAL Wish List (including SW/SF Help): Bpal list: http://www.bpal.org/topic/127-wishlist/page__st__250__p__314638#entry314638 Switch Witch help: http://www.bpal.org/topic/11202-what-products-are-you-dying-to-try/page__st__75__p__355821#entry355821 Other website Wish lists (amazon.com, etc): Amazon (this has not been updated since I got the kindle): http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&type=wishlist&id=24QL8Q5NB9IBS (If this fails it uses my main e-mail, above) Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/people/kakiphony/favorites (This has lots of sold stuff and crazy expensive stuff on it. This is so I remember stores/items for eventual custom orders. You know, when I win the lottery!) Random Questions: - On a scale of 1-5, how organized are you? Depends. Sometimes I am a 5 (wherein 5 is the highest) with notes and files and systems. Sometimes I am a 1, with piles and lost items and procrastination. I go to extremes. - Where, outside of the U.S. would you love to visit? (if you're international, this can be anywhere) Everywhere. No really, everywhere. I’d like to go back to England and go to Ireland; Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Switzerland, Russia, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Costa Rica, all over the Caribbean... The problem (besides not having the vacation time or money!) is that I HATE to fly! - Do people tell you that you act older, younger, or your age? Act older, look younger. - What animal do you feel like the most? On a daily basis I don't really feel like an animal at all -- I'm a human and quite pleased to be one. That said, I have had recurring dreams in which I am a fox. During the dreams I do fox-like things such as catch fish out of streams and play with other foxes. - Your favorite feature about yourself: My favorite feature one day tends to be the same thing I hate the most the next. Examples: One day I love my hair for being super shiny and soft. The next I bemoan it as stick straight and full of split ends. Or my eyebrows: I love that they are thick and define my face. The next day I think they are too bushy and hard to tame. In general, the things I always like most about my are intangibles: My brain; my laugh; my ability to love. - Do you live in a neighborhood or in the middle of nowhere? Neighborhood -- Old Town to be exact in a house built in 1899. - If you were a tree, what would you be and why? I'd like to say a silver birch or an aspen because I think they're gorgeous -- I love the pale, slender trunk and the whispering leaves. I'd also quite like to be a cedar, fragrant with crazy twisted, low branches perfect for sitting on or climbing. But in reality I'm probably more like a mulberry -- a scrub tree that grows anywhere and litters the whole with loads of messy fruit that really isn't very good to eat. -Have you ever thought, "oh, I'm going to get myself one of those one of these days" but then never do? List 1 under $10 and 1 over $10. Under $10: I have no idea if these are under or over $10, but they must be somewhat close... A cheap onion chopper and an insulated to-go style cup for iced tea/coffee (the kind with the re-useable straw) Over $10: A case for business cards. - Has a stranger ever told you that you did something really well? What was it? I’ve had little old ladies tell me, unprompted, that I am a great reader at church and a good actress. I think they just like the fact that they can hear/understand me. - Do you like garage sales (boot sales)? Yes, but in small doses. After about an hour I’m tired of smelling mothballs and my hands feel grimey. - I like to slather my food in …: Rooster Sauce! - State fairs or carnivals? Is there a difference? I guess for sheer size, state fairs. I like the exhibits and some food (I don’t like cotton candy or fried dough), but HATE roller coasters. Notes (Here's where you can add additional information you'd like your Switch Witch to know!): I think that covers it, but if you have questions, just ask!

In the imp: Rich yet perfumey. Oddly floral considering the notes. I have some trepidation about this one. The notes listed sound nice for me, but this imp smells like a no-no blend. Wet on skin: The red musk is dominant, followed by a top note of something very fruity -- I would have guessed plum or dragon's blood if I hadn't read the description. Perhaps it's the orris? Or the helichrysum? Early dry down (10 minutes): Holy powder, Batman! This is turning very powdery, very quickly on me. It's all incense and dusty powder. Late dry down (about an hour): Generic powdery perfume. Not for me!

Halloween Round 2011 From the Weenie Update....what are you most wanting to try? Surprisingly, my list isn't insanely long! I'm always keen to try Samhainophobia because it's a traditional favorite, and this year Golden Apple of the Sun and Elegy IX: The Autumnal sound like they might work on me. Also, Expressive Head, although the art freaks me the heck out. Who's into nail polish? What colors/brands? I am not super into nail polish simply because I almost never paint my fingernails. Having polish on them makes them feel like they are suffocating and I end up peeling it off. However, I do paint my toe nails in the summer because I have some really ugly nails from the Reynaud's I have no preferred brands, but like reds, hot pinks, and dark plums/maroon etc. Is there a quote (or lyric or part of a poem) that really resonates with you or is your favorite? I have a couple of favorites... From The Magus, by John Fowles: There comes a time in each life like a point of fulcrum. At that time you must accept yourself. It is not anymore what you will become. It is what you are and always will be. From Descent Into Hell, by Charles Williams: Rarity was one form of delight and frequency another. A thing could even be beautiful because it did not happen, or rather the not-happening could be beautiful. So long always as joy was not rashly pinned to the happening; so long as you accepted what joys the universe offered and did not seek to compel the universe to offer you joys of your own definition. I am also still head over heels in love with the poem You Who Never Arrived by Rilke: You who never arrived in my arms, Beloved, who were lost from the start, I don't even know what songs would please you. I have given up trying to recognize you in the surging wave of the next moment. All the immense images in me -- the far-off, deeply-felt landscape, cities, towers, and bridges, and unsuspected turns in the path, and those powerful lands that were once pulsing with the life of the gods-- all rise within me to mean you, who forever elude me. You, Beloved, who are all the gardens I have ever gazed at, longing. An open window in a country house-- , and you almost stepped out, pensive, to meet me. Streets that I chanced upon,-- you had just walked down them and vanished. And sometimes, in a shop, the mirrors were still dizzy with your presence and, startled, gave back my too-sudden image. Who knows? Perhaps the same bird echoed through both of us yesterday, separate, in the evening... Dream candle? Scent, color, type (tealight, votive, pillar, jar, etc.), throw... I like the ease of the self contained candle, so I would vote for a jar. Color would matter less to me than scent. I'm imagining something with lavender and lemon which would make my bathroom smell clean and fresh. Maybe some sweet grass or sage thrown in there as well. Do you like knitted goodies? If so, what would you like and what colors? I am so not picky. If you knit for me, I'll be impressed and grateful no matter what. Seriously. Scarves, hats (my head is quite small, if you need a measurement, I'll take one), mittens, gloves, socks, arm warmers, leg warmers, shawls, an eye glass case, pot holders.... I will be impressed. I like turquoise, blue, red, back, plumb, dark green, kelly green... Again, I'm not picky. Would you be interested in homemade edibles that are NOT sweets? Any specifics? I'm not picky is clearly the chorus to my song... But yes, I am interested in anything you make as long as it's not sweet pickles. (I like dill and spicy, but sweet pickled things just seem wrong to me.) That would include everything from pretzels and bread to mustard and jam and vinegar and and and... If you can dream it up, I'll probably gush over it. What GC do you live in mortal terror of the lab discontinuing, but never get around to buying? The only two I live in terror of disappearing are Vixen and Hetairae, my two every day scents. I normally have back-up bottles of both to alleviate just such fears, but am currently out (eep!) of Vixen. (The back-up bottles lived in a box that we think was lost in our move. It also had J's electric razors in it!) Yo, yarnies! Do you Ravelry? If so, who are you over thar? Anti-crafter, because I have no skillz. Social Media? kakiphony on lj and twitter. I'm in the big list of friending on the GUSP Facebook page as well. Everything is locked down, but just tell me you're a bpaler and you will be added. Do you have wishlists for non-BPAL e-tailers? And if so, could you provide a link or a list? I included amazon, etsy and the original flavor switch witch help thread post on my questionnaire. Witchee, do you use a PC or a Mac? Mac What is your favorite animal? Foxes! What are you going to be for Halloween? I don't think I'll dress up this year. I may, in fact, be traveling that day. 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.) Maybe a fox? A raven? A tree? I have no idea. If you need inspiration, you could weed through my insanely long etsy wishlist. That should give you a better picture of my taste. How do you feel about nick-knacks? They are for dust. Dust is evil. Therefore they are evil. What traditions (family, holiday, or otherwise) are important to you? A silly one: At holidays we take pictures of a squirrel candle doing silly/fun things and send them to my brother. He lives in Alaska, rarely comes home, and the squirrel has kind of become his stand-in. Do you like going to the movies? Yes, but I very rarely go. What are your favorite restaurants? I really like local places. Here in TC I am in love with the Bay Leaf, Amical, Stella, Lil' Bo, Chez Peres and Pangaea Pizza. (Google them and drool. Seriously.) We don't do chains much, but will occasionally pop into Olive Garden, Olgas (which may be an MI chain only), Chipotle or Qdoba, etc. Do you play any video games? Nope. Do you like any anime? I know not of anime. This does not mean I could not be enabled, just that I am currently not into it. Do you have an E-reader/iPad/something similar that you need a cover/case for? I have a kindle, but it already has a snazzy black leather cover. 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? You might have to peel me off the ceiling I could be jumping up and down so much. Really. I love jewelry. I am cheap as heck about buying new clothes and rely on jewelry to jazz up my basics. I <3 it sooooo much. (This also might be a good place to mention that in addition to delicate dangly earrings and hoops which I mentioned on the questionnaire, I've recently been wearing a lot of simple post earrings. This is partly because I seem to have lost one of everything but some post pearls, but also because they're easy and nice and conservative for at work. Also, I tend to lose them less than dangles.) How would you like to receive some of your Witch's favorite recipes, tailored to your likes/dietary restrictions? And specific wants? I adore recipes. I have an awesome Longaberger basket recipe box which holds the cards and has a flat surface to place them on while you cook. I love it. I also have a three ring binder with recipes inside plastic sleeves which I also think is the best thing ever -- it lays flat and the plastic protects the recipes from spills. 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? I don't need dedicated smelly boxes (the kind with the styrofoam for imps), but could always use more generic boxes (without the imp/bottle holders in them) that can be for smellies OR jewelry OR hair ties OR keepsakes etc. I dislike clutter, so I love boxes as cute clutter hiders. Muppets: yea or nay? Yay! My favorites are Statler and Waldorf. I wanna be one of them when I grow up. (Why are all the cool grumpy people men? I also want to be Red Foreman and Dr. Cox. We need a grumpy woman for me to emulate!) Do you have an affinity for Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts, The Far Side, and other comic strips? If so, which is your favorite? Not really. Favorite Mythological Creature?: Trickster foxes. Do you like hair things barrettes, headbands, flowers Barrettes and soft scrunchy like things that can be used for pony tails or buns. I linked to the type of barrette I use the most on the questionnaire. Headbands and those awesome scarf-like things that act like headbands are nice, but are always too big for my head and slide out of my hair. (My hair is super straight/fine which means it is soft and slippery.) Do you like to burn incense? If so, what are your favorite kinds...sticks? cones? resins? What are your favorite scents? On occasion, when I have nice stuff. I only have a stick holder at the moment, but would not be opposed to other kinds if I had the proper equipment in/with which to burn it. I really like the Fred Soll resin sticks -- especially Amber Honey, Pinon, Copal, Ginger/Ginseng and all the Sage varieties. I also used to have some "smokeless" Japanese style incense that I loved. - Harry Potter - a fan? If so, what house are you? Yes. Ravenclaw all the way! (And I prefer book Ravenclaw colors of blue and bronze to the movie colors of blue and silver.) - If you were to receive a gift card, what places would you like to get one from? ??? Anywhere you think I'd enjoy? Amazon is always good since I can buy e-books, but really, I will love anything. Is there a particular myth/folktale/legend/fairytale/godstory that you're drawn to? Hmm...Too many? I am drawn to tales of the Medusa, classic Grimm's fairy tales, Tam Lin... I could list paragraphs. Suffice it to say that I love fairy tales and Greek myth. 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! I do not do these things. 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! The (first) World's Fair in London in 1851. When you are having a really rough day, what do you like to do/have to make it a little brighter? A cup of tea, a good book, a thunder storm, some time with my husband, a silly tv show... The usual little pleasures that make life worth living. What are your thoughts on comics? Any you like? Any you have been wanting to try? Favorite characters? I read XKCD and Questionable Content daily. Otherwise, I have never really gotten into comics. This is not to say I am not interested, just that I would need to be enabled. I will say that the two graphic novel type things I keep meaning to read, but never do are Sandman and Fables. However, I have a feeling that I will have my usual reaction which is: Someone should novelize this for more detail... Are you musical? Do you play an instrument, and if so, what? If not, what do you wish you could play or do? I am about as musical as I am crafty, which is to say, not at all. If I could magically be granted ability I'd choose to be able to sing rather than play an instrument. I cannot carry a tune in a bucket. 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? I do not mainly because I am not allowed to dig in my yard. I used to have a gorgeous garden with herbs and vegetables back in the day. I would like to learn to container garden or have an indoor herb garden or even just indoor plants (I love jade plants), but I seem to have a black thumb indoors. Outdoors, I can't kill things. Inside, I can't keep anything alive. Do you decorate for Halloween? Is your decorating taste elegant, kitschy and fun, or scary? I do not, mainly because I am lazy and if I did the decorations would stay up until Christmas, gather dust and annoy me. The one place I would like to add some personal flair is my office. I currently have white walls. But I am scared to bring art in because I work at an arts academy and am sure to be judged on whatever I hang! Witchee, do you have any symbols or totems that have special meaning for you? Not in particular. I like foxes, rabbits, ravens, owls and trees. But I just like them, they don't mean anything special. Is anyone fond of programs like Adopt a Tree/Highway/Library/Manatee/Acre of Rainforest/etc?: I am not super familiar with them, but anything that supports libraries warms the cockles of my heart. What #1 actor, director, author and/or musician are you obsessed with? None really. I suppose the closest would be David Byrne, David Bowie and Fred Eaglesmith because I think everything they put out is brilliant. But I don't think I really fangirl any of them Are you interested in anything from the Villainness Bad Apples update? All of it? The best sounding ones to me are: Discord and Twistappel. But this gives me a place to say something I think I forgot to mention on my questionnaire: While my tastes in perfume scents are somewhat narrow, my taste in soap scents is much more broad. While I can't do musk or fruits or florals in perfume, I can handle them in soap. I think it's because the soap scent does not linger as much and trigger my sneeze reflex. So I enjoy things like apple soap, or (mild) jasmine tea soap whereas I would never buy those scents in perfume. 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? No pets! 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? I think top on my "I'll never get to them" list are most of the bath oils from bptp. I just don't use bath oil enough to justify the cost of a bottle when my budget is still so tight. Also, probably the Riders (White, Red, Black). I like leather, but since it's less work appropriate it always goes to the bottom of the list. 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? Nothing in particular, but I love art. As I said, my office walls are completely empty and my bedroom walls are pretty bare too. No max size. I like big stuff, but I can often find a spot for wee things too. 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? I am a makeup idiot. The only cosmetic I wear daily is clear mascara -- and I use that as brow tamer! Do you like coffee or tea? Would you be interested in trying some different types? Like both and am always open to tasty drinks. I think I covered this on the questionnaire. If you need more guidance ask in an e-card or e-mail and I'll elaborate further. 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) Not really. My husband buys a LOT of music (he goes through iTunes gift cards the way I go through Amazon ones!) so we have almost everything I want. Are you going away for any part of this round? I may be in Massachusetts over the weekend of October 30th, but it will be a short trip. Like 3 days away, max. Would you like to receive a mix-CD from your Witch? Sure. I bet my husband would like it too. He still loves making them. If your witch were going somewhere on a vacation during the round, would you want a little souvenir? If my witch saw something that had Kaki written all over it and had room in her luggage, I would certainly not object! Do you enjoy any outdoor activities? Do you have a favorite form of "exercise"? I like walking along the river and the beach and swimming. I wish I could say I loved exercise, but I am a lazy, lazy thing. Any witchee's with a ravelry account have any favourited patterns that cost money that would be a welcome gift? Crafting skills are beyond me. Do you work/study at a desk and enjoy interesting or cute office supplies? I have a desk in my office and office supplies are always a pain to obtain around here. (I have to requisition them from a shop and turn in receipts.) So cute office supplies would not be turned away. Witchee, are you a fan of musicals? If so, which ones? Yes, but I am picky and weird. I like OLD musicals -- the Rodgers and Hammerstein/Hart types ones. I love: Gigi, South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, Camelot, Annie, etc. I do NOT like Wicked or Rent. The only Sondheim I can stand is West Side Story. In general, I prefer musicals with witty, funny songs to those with "pretty" songs designed for diva voices. 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 am very fond of thrift. I don't think much squicks me but used socks, shoes and panties. Media, clothes, scarves, kitchenware, etc. are all things I buy vintage all the time. Do you have an Etsy shop? Do you know of any Etsy shops that are Switch Witch friendly? I do not, but I think ALL the forum member shops are SW friendly. I love supporting our members! Would a gift or a postcard from Disneyland make you squee with delight or puke into your mail box? A postcard would make me smile, but most Disney merchandise would not thrill me. It wouldn't make me puke, but I probably would not squee. Now HP merch might get more of a squee, specifically HP merch that isn't logo based or could be used/worn in real life and which might or might not even guess was HP (like a striped scarf or other related but not obvious things). what are your favorite types of Halloween candy? Tiny payday candy bars. Honestly, I try very not to keep too much candy in my house because we eat it. This is bad because we have the self control of 2 year olds. Do you prefer soap or shower gel? Please give examples of your favorite scents or brands. Bar soap. Again, I think I covered this is in the questionnaire, but if you need more specific guidance, just ask. How do you like your chocolate? For example with nuts, mint, peanut butter, caramel? I prefer dark to light and I like nuts, toffee, fruit, ginger, pepper...everything really. Beads! Do you use them? Would you want some? What sorts of beads do you like? I only need beads in the form of already assembled pieces. I have no crafting skills. Anyone here like caramels? Sea salted caramels?!?! Yes and yes. Would you like a hand dyed or hand painted scarf or wrap or other item? If so, what colors/designs/fabrics do you like? That sounds lovely. I actually have loads of scarves on my etsy wishlist which would give a good guide as to the colors I like. In general, I like bright colors, especially blues, greens and red. I also like plums and burgundy and black. I tend to prefer natural fibers (wool, cotton, silk) and HATE fibers that shed (mohair is the devil). This was a question before, but does anyone here like stones? Just pretty polished stones for use in whatever purposes? Yes, but I have TUBS of them. Seriously. If you send me more stones, J might kill you. And another question; anyone like anything in particular from Think Geek? I have no idea. I almost never look at that site because I actually forget about it... Pinterest, do you have boards you want to share or are you following anyone with great boards you want to share? I did not even know what it was until the question was asked. So, no. Would you like to receive e-books? And if so, in what format? Sure. I have a kindle, so that works best. I can supposedly make it take other formats, but have yet to experiment with that. 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? No kids. 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!) I like the plain square on the best and then the gathered one with long strap. I tend to like bags I can wear across my chest, so tiny handles and I do not get along. (But overly long straps make me angry too since I'm short and I don't want a bag that hits my knees.) Are there are patterns, motifs, etc that you especially like? I'm not really sure what this means... Witchee, would you be interested in having a special tea cup/coffee mug/glass to drink out of? I do like mugs, and tend to prefer, taller ones that have the kind of hip bend in them to short squat ones -- I think the shape helps keep things warm longer. 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? I think I addressed this on the questionnaire and in my general SW help post. If you need more clarification, feel free to ask. How would you feel about kitchen towels and other similar household objects, if they are pretty or a souvenir? I like them. Kitchen towels get grimey really fast in my world, so having replacements is lovely. How did you dress up for your last party or compulsory-formal-dress occasion? Does this mean dress up as in nice clothes or dress up as in costumes? Umm...last nice clothes occasion I wore my one and only little black dress (wool jersey, long sleeved, empire waist, short skirt) with a triple strand of pearls and heels. Last costumed event I went as a pirate and wore my silk wedding coat. Do you enjoy puzzles/riddles? (Cryptograms, Sudoku, Crossword, Jigsaw, etc) I like crosswords, but find Sudoku to be utterly horrifying. Math for fun? Umm, no. I rarely do jigsaw puzzles EXCEPT with small children who visit me. So low-piece-count puzzles are always welcome for my toy box. (Yes, I have a toy box. I try to keep it stocked with new coloring books, crayons, washable markers, puzzles, dress-up clothes, stuffed animals, and other little games for the kids when they come over. Because I am the best auntie EVER.) Can you sum yourself (whether it be personality, life's goals, ethics, whatever) in 10 words or less? No. How about little bottles of booze? Ya wanna? What kind? Sure. But not things like pucker or schnapps, just real booze that you tend to mix with things (even if it's only ice), like scotch or whisky or gin or vodka. I'm actually kind a booze snob though, so this may actually be more trouble than it's worth for me. (I like Grey Goose, Hendrick's, Jamesons, single malts, etc.) 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.) I like them and even on days I think they're too sweet, J loves 'em. It is warm in the summer here, but I think we're past the season of melted mail. Also, what about mochi? Love it, hate it, baffled by it? I have never had it to my recollection. Anything from the update ya'll are liking? BPTP UPDATE I updated my wishlist. Does anyone like kimchi? I do. I like most fermented vegetables. Would you be interested in a sample box(from somewhere like Birchbox or loosebutton)? I certainly would not be opposed. You have to place a Lab and Trading Post order. Right fuckin' now. No spending limits. What do you buy? Bottles of Vixen and Hetairae and everything on my wishlist. (You did say no limit!) If I decided to be frugal even with no limit, I'd probably buy Vixen, Morocco, Sudha Segara, Safari and an imp pack or two from bpal and the red t-shirt, a pair of yoga pants, and Morocco bath oil, the soaps and Eye of Newt and Howlet's Wing from bptp. Paintbox Soapworks - anything you're interested in, in general or from the latest update? I have quite a bit of it on my etsy favorites list. In general, I want to try any/all of it. I may look at it again and mark a few more scents. Do you guys have any sports that you follow obsessively? How about favorite teams and/or athletes Obessively, no. But I do end up watching Detroit sports (Tigers, Red Wings, Lions) and Notre Dame football with the husband and family. How do you feel about notebooks/journals/stationery? Anything you need or particularly like? I love notebooks and journals, but am honestly pretty well stocked right now. I could always use sticky notes and I've wanted one of those grocery list pads that magnetizes to the refrigerator for ages. Does confetti/glitter make you angry or fill you with glee? Neither if it is contained. If it gets all over everything I go crazy with the vacuum cleaner. Fabulous witches and witchees, perhaps you all could note of you've received MeiLin's goodies? Or if you want? I have actually read quite a bit of her things already. I tend to buy them when she posts 'em. 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'm not a huge fan. I keep a few around the house for when kids visit, but I don't buy them for myself. how interested would you be on somewhat personalized bottle cap labels? Like these that I did? I don't really have enough bottles to justify them. I tend to keep a REALLY minimal stash. I don't usually have more on hand than I think I can actually wear within 6 months, When you're miserably sick (*sniffle, cough!*) what are the things that comfort you the most? Soup - especially miso soup. I buy those little miso packets and use them to make broth for ramen or I buy the Annie Chung's miso with the big fat noodles which is SO good (but so full of sodium it is a sickness treat only). Also, Pho -- with loads and loads of cilantro, spouts, lime and rooster sauce. And hot toddies (Jamesons with water, lemon and sugar -- hot.) What constitutes ultimate luxury to you? (go crazy!) Staying in a swank hotel with a deep bathtub with jets, having loads of bath bombs/oils to use in it, a stack of books or movies to watch and ordering room service. Many bonus points if the room service comes from a good restaurant. Really, eating out and being able to order whatever I feel like from appetizers to booze to dessert feels pretty darn luxurious to me. What do you really NOT want? Umm?????? I have no idea. interested in anything from Lush? I'm pretty sure there's a Lush section on my non-bpal/switch help post wishlist thing which is linked in my sig. and again in the questionnaire. Do you blog? Would you like a header for your blog, a layout, etc? Just on lj. I don't think a layout there would be very useful for me. However, I am thinking (seriously) of opening a vintage book shop on etsy. If my witch has experience with etsy banners, help in that regard would be swell. Would you be interested in a handmade bookmark? Sure, as long as my witch is ok with the fact that I'll probably lose it within a month! 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? I like it all and would eat it. Also, J would eat it. In fact, we might fight over who eats it. 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. I would like one. Sadly, there are not many. Usually the closest to me are in Grand Rapids, which is 1.5 to 2 hours and just too far to drive. So unless it was for a retail chain or something like that, it probably is a no-go. I miss Groupon. We had such good ones in Fort Collins. do you like real sugar skulls? Things with sugar skull designs? Yes and yes. I especially like the really colorful ones. Who here adores meringue? Like/enjoy yes, adore might be a little much though. 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 try to cook at least 4 nights a week. However, that has been tough lately since J is working nights at the taproom and when he has a night off, he usually wants to take me out. So, what I have been cooking has been less individual meals than batches of things I can freeze and then re-heat in single portions. A cookbook designed for that would be aces. I could also always use things to teach me more about cooking decent: Indian, Thai, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Russian and Hungarian (my latest obsession). Little kitchen gadgets are always welcome as are spices, etc. Really, you can't go wrong with any sort of cooking/food related item with me. I love to eat (and eat well) and in order to do that, I need to cook! New question: How do you feel about maple syrup? Real maple syrup is amazing and one of the reasons I think a higher power must exist. 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) I can't get that link to work, but in general I think they are pretty cool. I received an amazing one in the Altered Altoid tin exchange which houses my rosary and is pretty amazing. It has Queen of Heaven imagery and my words from an old I Believe thread. Do you like Star Wars? Original Trilogy? Prequels? Spin-offs? Favorite characters? Like, but am not obsessed with. I didn't really like the prequels (the story of Anakin was a lot better in my head) and have never seen/read the spin-offs. I would eventually like to read the Timothy Zahn books. Do you like beef jerkey, I know some may be vegatarian, 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 all of it. I also like venison jerky. And buffalo. And sausage! Also do you like or racier ecards from time to time and do you need to be warned if something may be not safe to open at work. Sure. A warning is nice, but maybe not 100% necessary. Doctor Who? Yay or nay? (please don't make me cry by saying nay) I am just starting to watch the first season of the "new" episodes (the season with Rose). It's OK. It doesn't blow me away yet, but is good for when I am ironing or something for back ground noise. 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? I think these will find a home that loves them more than my house. Anyone love Buffy/Angel? I loved Buffy while it was on and the first season of Angel. I soured on Angel pretty quickly. I still enjoy Buffy, but am probably not a fangirl. How would you feel about gummies? Like, gummy bears? Gummy werewolves? Gummy vampires? I don't hate them, but quite honestly they would probably be eaten by my small children friends rather than by me. How would you feel about a totally original Gela-skin for your laptop/iPod/phone? Stickers? Decals? I don't need one for my kindle and I do not have an iPad or iPhone. My laptop is worked issued, so stickers are a no-no. 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? Dark fairy tales and skulls all the way. BUT I don't watch horror movies. Are your ears pierced, Witchee? Do you have any other piercings? Would you like to receive any items of jewelry for these piercings? I have traditional pierced ears (one hole in each lobe). How do you all feel about Whoopie Pies? Love. Are you looking for a certain kind of DVDs to spruce up your collection right now? My collection is very wee. I can't think of anything in particular, but really any of the traditional 80s movie staples (Pretty in Pink, etc, Goonies, etc) would be awesome and get watched. Does anyone like postcards? Is anyone willing to be a Nacho witch for postcards? I like them all right. Don't think my area really offers any... Anyone going to see any good concerts this fall? Nothing on my schedule until the Nutcracker at Christmas. Do you like Star Trek? Original TV series, films, spinoff series, etc? Favorite characters? Yes. I like Original, TNG, the new film and Deep Space 9. Never watched voyager. Still love Dr. McCoy the best. He got all the best lines. Witchee, would you like a framed photograph and of what? Sure! I have no concrete ideas of what... Classic shots of New Orleans and Boston are always good, as are shots of famous bookstores. 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? Yes. I also love long sleeved t-shirts and thermal t-shirts. I have no real preferences as to design except to say that I don't love anything too cutesy. (Example: I have an old Naughty t-shirt from the lab I never wear because it is too cutesy for me. The Lab shirt I wear the most is the old Mead Moon with the distressed honey comb on it. I tend to like abstract designs, or simple designs like ravens or owls. I think my etsy has some t-shirts in it that are a good style guide.) I tend to wear either a small or a medium - GIRL CUT. (I have hips. Regular or straight cut t-shirts bunch on them.) The choice between small and medium and based less on overall fit than on length. I like them long enough to cover my waist and not ride up. If my witch wants, I can measure a few of my favorites so you know just how long that should be in an ideal world. How do you feel about pumpkin scented things? Not perfume related, but soap, candles, etc.... I like it. Especially with ginger and spice! Has anyone else heard of or does anyone else love Glamourkin? I had not heard of them, but looked, loved and favorited! 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. Nothing in particular, but I do love the uniqueness of international things. Little stuff like chocolate, tea, cookies etc. Chances are, if it's unique to where you are and I can't get it here, I will squee over it. 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). I have a work issued MacBook Pro. 15 inch? Is that the smallest? I don't own any peripherals. I'm not a huge Apple accessory person, but my husband very much is. He has an Apple sticker on his car! SOCK PREFERENCES? I think I sorta covered this on my swap faery help post, but I like knee socks, rights and mid-calf socks. Stripes and argyle and other designs are great. I like some stretch because I have chicken legs and they stay up better. Really, I just love socks. Would you like/wear a pair of these? http://www.ravelry.c...rary/yoga-socks If so, what color? The would be nice for yoga AND for on my (slippery) stairs! I like blue, green turquoise, black, purple, red.... Is there anyone here who likes toe socks? You know, those socks with a place for each toe? Sadly, they tend to give me blisters because I curl my toes. What strange misc. items would you love to receive that you just haven't gotten for yourself?: This one is throwing me for a loop. I think it's all covered in my various wishlists? If not, maybe a more specific question? I just can't figure out how to answer this. Sorry! 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? I don't really use polish except occasionally on my toes. Chemicals don't bother me. I don't really know what Franken Polish is. 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? I have enough lip balm to last me for a good decade. That said, if you can find a lip balm that accentuates my natural color in the way the old CoverGirl lip balms in the pale green tube (they came in pale, medium and dark and were billed as "working with your natural lip color") did, I would love it. The Burt's Bees kind of sort of does, but not really. And most tinted ones sit on the lips funny -- they cover natural color not accentuate it. That silly CG stuff was THE BEST and the only lip color I used faithfully. I am so sad it got discontinued. I used the medium and was devoted to it. (I should specify that this stuff came out some time between 1997 and 2000 and was discontinued around 2001 or 2002.) 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) I am not neat enough to use a fountain pen. My favorite pens in the whole world are Pilot Precise V5 Extra Fine Rolling Ball -- the kind with the little window in them to show the ink level. I always, always need them and my husband and I fight over them. I steal his and he steals mine. They are the best pen for preventing hand cramps and writing fatigue for me. -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) I am so no artistic. However, sidewalk chalk, finger paints and washable markers could live in the toy box at my house for my nephew and god-daughter. -How do you feel about getting art supplies in general? (copic markers, watercolor, brushes, paint, sketchbooks etc.) See above. I'm not artistic, but I do try to keep some kid-friendly coloring books and supplies about for when I have small visitors. -How do you feel about Threadless tshirts? I like the less cutesy, more abstract ones. However, as we're approaching winter I really like long sleeved Ts the best. Does threadless make any? I seem to live in my two brewery (Equinox and Odell) long sleeve thermal Ts every weekend all winter. 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? Honestly? Probably vitamins and calcium! I'd be tempted by the "salon only" shampoos and conditioners that they carry illegally(?) but would probably end up being practical. Darling Witchee, would you enjoy farmer's market pickled veggies (green beans, garlic, asparagus, etc) or fresh canned peaches or something of that nature? YES. Do you prefer color or white photographs? Nature or abstract? Generally, I like color better because I think it pops more on a wall. I like nature better, but I also like abstract nature. Example: My husband took a picture of the inside of a tree covered in vines. The light shines through the leaves turning them gold and shiny. It's gorgeous. would you be interested in something like this? https://lostcrates.com/how-it-works In theory yes, but not stationary. I just don't use it enough. The idea of a quiz generated box of stuff is fun though. Amigurumi, yes or no? Sadly, no. I have a question! What are some of your favorite paintings? (famous or undiscovered?) Feel free to link to examples! I like the Pre-Raphaelites, especially Rossetti's Beata Beatrix. I also like portraits -- John Singer Sargent is a favorite. I especially love Madam X. (I also really like his Girl Fishing -- all that lovely blue!) If you could have an image painted for you - sky is the limit - what would it be? I have no idea. Name your 3 favorite scents for candles I really love the Luna scent from Archipelago Botanicals. It's lemon verbena, lavender and thyme -- very clean and fresh. I also love the Stonehenge scent from the same company - smoked cedarwood, bermot and amber. It is very comforting and warm without being cloying. For the Christmas season I also like AB's Black Forest candles which are douglas fir, ebony wood and black currant. From Yankee, I like the Sage Citrus which is also really clean and fresh. Name your 3 favorite types/flavors of tea Oolong Earl Grey Lady Londonderry 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. I don't really use makeup, so probably not. Do you like Legos? Especially mini-fig key chains, Lego block keychains, small Lego sets, etc? I'm not a lego fiend. 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. $50, huh?... Ok, here's the breakdown (I did three, one for bpal, one for bptp and one for the ideal world where you could combine orders from both sites) BPAL 1 imp pack -$22 Contents: White Rider, Red Rider, Black Rider, Tombstone, Anne Bonnie & War Then I would dither between a bottle of Safari ($28) and a replacement bottle of Vixen ($17.50). But, in the end, I'd probably go with Vixen so I had that extra $10 to buy two or three (depending on whether I want to come in just under or just over the $50) more imps: Velvet, Suhha Segara and O BPTP Soap: Port au Prince, Shub, & Snake oil ($8.50 x 3= $25.50) Librarian t-shirt ($20) Then I'd throw in a couple of magnets to get me to $50 Combined 1 imp pack as above ($22) Soap: Shub (but I'd dither between that and P au P) Bottle of Vixen Are there any characters that you love or identify with? Answered with quotes in the thread ---> Quotes from Maggie Smith Dowager Countess Grantham on Downton Abbey. 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? I am the opposite of craft. Are there any Arcana Weenies that you MUST HAVE? I haven't even looked at them. But I tend to like their soap way better than their perfume. So what say you? IS an "unexpected" visit/in-person witching OK? Hmmm. I want to say yes, but given where I live making an unexpected visit would be rather impractical since we're near nowhere. I would think a little notice would make the visit easier since I could have fresh sheets on the guest bed. Cthulhu: yay or nay? Generally yay, although I do think squid may be inching into the over-played territory. Is there something that you wish you could do, but you keep putting it off? Hmm...Travel? Pay off debt? Build bookshelves in the little bedroom? Cut my hair? Put your current mp3player (I am the anti-apple, so no ipod ), winamp playlist, what have you, on shuffle, list the first 10 songs: My iPod has been dead for months and I rarely listen to music. I know that's totally unhelpful, but its true. My office is in a public radio building that hosts a news station and a classical station. One or the other is on all the time. 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 If I do, it will only be for my witchee. I'm not planning on buying for me any time soon. Do you have any interest in rocks? Not like, polished colorful stones.. but like... rocks. With geologic significance! Only the ones I pick up myself on the beach. 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? That is kind of like asking me what kind of cheese I want! I do think thick and warm is probably more practical for me than light and drape-y since my office and house both tend to be super cold and drafty. I like jewel tones (blue, green, turquoise, red), black and grey. The only fiber preference I have is for something that does not shed. Mohair and the like are just such a mess. 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. No pets, although I was tempted to post a picture of J! Do you like/own/wear/want fairy wings or something of the like? I do not own, I do like, but don't really want. Back in the days when I did loads of renaissance festivals when J was active the wands, they would have been perfect. Now, I'm afraid they'd never get used. How do you feel about terrariums? I have never thought about them enough to have feelings. What's your favorite horror movie? Watcher in the Woods. Yes, Disney horror is about my speed. 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. This was actually my question, but I did answer it anyway: Nice bar soap, Suave Rosemary/Mint shampoo/conditioner, Neutrogena Fresh Foaming cleanser, Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Toner, 2% beta gel & Clear Regular strength treatment, no rub contact solution, clear mascara, oolong tea, Clif bars (esp. chocolate mint and crunchy peanut butter) and Rooster Sauce. Jane Austen .. Yay or Nay? Yay, but not obsessive fan girl yay. More like gentle appreciation yay. 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? I am not opposed. I can't think of a specific topic. I tend to photocopy Dilbert strips for my office... Do you like period or period-styled paraphernalia? Stuff like postcards, notecards, jewelry, office supplies, what-have-you? Yes! Especially jewelry and clothing, but office supplies might be kind of cool. 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? I have never gotten into them. If you could choose a Smack, what would it have in it? See my swap faery help list. I think I set out some wishlist smack combos there. if you could have a salon scent made, based on any artwork(s) what would it be? Oddly, I don't think I would. You see, the kind of art I like really doesn't translate into the way I like to smell. I like resinous fiery scents, but I like green, blue and cool toned art. I'm afraid my favorite art would all be floral, aquatic or herbal, none of which I wear well. 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.? I think I'd enjoy making soap or something like that -- after all, I like to cook and it seems similar to me. But anything more artistic like photography or yarn dying is probably beyond my crafty capabilities. What's 'your' song/your theme song? Evil Woman by ELO. Or Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers. Or Watching the Detective by Elvis Costello. My song with my husband is I Love Being Here With You as sung by Peggy Lee. What would be your superpower? Reading minds. Witchee, would you like a gently used BPAL tshirt? Sure would. I am a fan of gently used in general. 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! Really, I like everything. I do like my trail mix fairly heavy on the nuts and light on the fruit/choc chips/candy, but there was this one trail mix at Sunflower in CO that had chocolate covered sesame seeds in it that was amazing. I also like pepitas. And tamari nuts and wasabi nuts and peas. Do you like charm bracelets? If you had a bracelet, what sort of charms would you want on it? Favorite hobbies, symbols, whatever? I don't tend to wear bracelets because my wrists are so tiny I can never find them to fit. That said, if I were given charms I would like: books, a bike, a raven, a fox, a tree, a moon and stuff like that.

In the decant: Light and dry, but with a definite cocoa note at the bottom. Some citrus. I'm intrigued to see how rich vs. light this will be on me. Wet on skin (initial application): Citrus is dominant on me, a light citrus that seems more like lemon than mandarin to me. I get very little of that cocoa note that I smelled in the imp. Along with the citrus this has an herbal over-lay. It's not unpleasant, staying just this side of cleaning fluid, but I'm hoping the base notes develop to take a little of the citrus edge off. Early dry down (about 15 minutes): Hmm...this is, sadly, veering into cleaning fluid territory on me. The citrus is very, very dominant, followed by a high, sort of sweet herbal smell. It makes the back of throat itch a bit. My left wrist is especially problematic -- it smells a bit like bug spray. Late dry down (after an hour): Luckily, time and dry down make all the difference in this blend. After the citrus and herbs fades, I am left with a light, subtle wood blend with just the slightest hint of something green and fresh in the top layer. This reminds me quite a lot of Aelopile.

I am loving this. It's so much fun to go back and read my old reviews and add the stars. My only complaint is that after editing a scent's stars it always takes me back to Page 1 of my reviews, and then only shows Page 1 and 2 to click through to. To get back to later pages to keep editing, it takes 1-3 clicks! If it could take me back to the last page of my scents after editing, that would be ideal!

Do you think she'd rather have sweetened patchouli, dark/masculine patchouli, or spicy patchouli? I'm also a patchouli lover and these are a few of my best beloveds: Vixen (spicy + sweet - My all-time favorite bpal) Hetairae (sweet and very feminine patchouli) Ravenous (starts sweet, but ends up straight patchouli very quickly on me) Wanton (sweet and feminine again - much more floral than Hetairae) Anne Bonny (very woody and dry) Voodoo (spicy and a bit masculine with lots of spice) Clemence (unimpable - very spicy with a touch of sweet) Illustrated Woman (very classic patchouli blend with hippy touches of tobacco and resins. This is a CLASSIC patchouli blend) Goblin (patch+coconut - less sweet and more woody than you'd think. Wears really nicely) Al-Shairan (the ultimate patchouli/spice blend - very fiery) War (spicy, spicy and heavy on the ginger. I LOVE this blend) I don't recommend Snake Oil because it's too heavy on the musk for me. But it's the most popular patchouli bpal (might be the most popular bpal of all!) and you really should include an imp of it. Edited to add: If you can find them, the past LEs Samhainophobia and Scharzer Mond, she might love them.

Really, the best thing to do is try some oils. If you like the smell, wear them. If not, see if you can trade or sell them here, on makeup alley, or lj etc. I will say that I tried a lot of other perfumes before I found bpal. Everything from classics like Chanel, Givenchy and Guerlain to Creed, L'Artisan, Demeter etc. I never found a perfume I could wear consistently without sneezing until I tried oils rather than sprays. I've had decent luck with oils from bpal, DSH and Sage Machado. Of those, Sage is my least favorite. I find that I reach for bpal and dsh with about the same regularity, but that I seem to get more compliments from my husband and family when I wear bpal. To me, that's what matters. How I smell to me and how I smell to other people. The fact that I can afford bpal is nice too, but honestly, I use so little of it that I'd gladly pay way more. One 5ml bottle can easily last me 18 months, and that's with almost daily wear!

And if you're lucky enough to live near one of the stores that stocks bpal or a location that does a monthly Will Call, you CAN try things for free! There just aren't as many boutiques stocking bpal as their are malls or department stores stocking the major brands. (Also, I wore Guerlain too before finding bpal. The Aqua Allegoria Lavande Velours was my daily perfume. My taste has changed dramatically since then, and the alcohol now makes me sneeze.)

I do think the lab buys component oils from various sources, but I strongly suspect (I can't say I know because I don't work for them) that they do NOT buy from the mass production synthetic oil companies that sell fragrances to Yankee or wholesale their products to every bath and body producer mixing things up on the web. For one thing, I think Beth has too strong a background in traditional perfumery (there's a thread somewhere that talks about where she studied, I'm sure someone less lazy than I will find it for you), and for another, bpal simply doesn't smell like those oils once applied to the skin. Take as an example patchouli. I LOATHED patchouli before I discovered bpal. I had a good friend in college who loved it and was always buying new patchouli containing blends from every bath and body place in the mall and in the small boutiques in our college town. I hated all of them. They smelled like rotting hippie laundry and dog. I suspect most of them were using the "middle ground, of pre-blended synthetic oils that are found in Yankee Candles" that you want to avoid. Then I tried a bpal patchouli blend. Rather than rotting hippie I got deep wood and molasses. It was a revelation. I hated BAD patchouli. Good patchouli was something very different. (And I don't just love bpal patchouli now. I also really love the DSH patchouli blends I've tried.) This is an experience that is not unique to me and which I think speaks rather plainly about the quality of the component oils that bpal uses to make its blends. Certain blends that bpal produces are much more likely to smell like a Yankee Candle shop than others. I don't think any perfumer out there can produce the scent of candy corn or funnel cakes or the like without using a lot of synthetics. Some people love those scents and they can be fun and they sell, so the lab continues to produce them. Some people (like me) tend to dislike them and that’s fine too. Part of loving perfume is loving the way in which it creates a mood or a signature scent. If we all smelled the same it would be no fun at all! For me, perfume is very much tied up with identity. It’s why I tend to acquire less scents than lots of my compatriots here. I have a specific scent profile that is “me” and I stick to it. If your scent profile range is less about synthetics or cinnamon or other typical “Yankee candle” type smells, then by all means stay away from those scents. But do try things for yourself rather than let any reviewer, whether here or on other perfume sites, make up your mind for you. If I hadn’t been willing to have an open mind I’d still be wearing lavender body lotion every day, vaguely dissatisfied with the way I smelled, never knowing the love that is a good patchouli! (Ps. The inside of my imp box does smell like the miasma from a candle store. Luckily, once the oils are applied they smell great. I think any time lots of strong scents mingle you get that dreaded Yankee Candle fog. That’s why having a box that closes is so important!) Edited to add: What six imps did you try? Inquiring minds want to know!

I tried this yesterday and my result was bizarre. In the imp this was dry patchouli and the deep bitterness of myrrh. When I applied it to my skin it smelled of tart fake berries. It stayed that way all day. Pimento berry must amp like the devil on me.

In the decanted imp: Caramel - deep and dark. Wet on skin (upon application): The caramel is there, but this is MUCH more complex than it smelled in the imp and it's not the CARAMEL that some other folks have found in their skin. I'm also getting big gusts of champaca and a dry, almost powdery tobacco/patchouli base. Early dry down (15 minutes after application): This is very complex on me. At the top I smell champaca, ylang ylang and caramel. The top notes are high, sweet, a bit floral -- not exactly foody, but definitely luscious. The base is a deep resinous patchouli with a bit of spice. Late dry down (45-60 minutes after application): As this has developed on my skin the various scent notes have merged to create something much greater than the sum of its parts. It's like a caramel and slightly floral pipe tobacco or a caramel and slightly floral, deep black tea. Which is not to say that it smells like either tobacco or tea exactly, it's more impression of something that has been blended and flavored to be a complex brew. This reminds me of Red Lantern and of the Pumpkin II from 2007 (tobacco, champa flower, carnation, and tonka) -- both of which were lovely, complex, gourmand yet also very classic and not quite foody blends. It also reminds me of Hetairae, but with added depth. Hetairae is classicly feminine (the pearl necklace and little black dress) whereas this is classically femme fatale (plunging necklines and a side slit skirt). Verdict: I love this and am kicking myself for not trying my Yule decants sooner. I have no extra cash right now and really wish I'd gotten a bottle of this.

In the decanted imp: Wood and red musk -- quite dry. There is a very faint undercurrent of a dark and slightly astringent fruit which I am betting is the currant. Wet on skin/at application: Much spicier and fruitier than in the bottle. I would almost call this bright. The fruit isn't quite peach or quite currant, but is some combination of the two that my nose only registers as "fruit." It's less like an actual piece of fruit than it like some sort of dried fruit or fruit potpourri. With the clove/spice and the faint dry note I'm getting from the wood it really reminds me of the potpurri aisle at Michael's It's not awful, but at this stage I don't love it either. Early dry down (app. 15 minutes on skin): This is surprisingly fresh and bright on my skin, especially compared to a few of the reviews before mine that mention lots of woods, tonka and tobacco. That's what I was hoping for with this one, but unfortunately my skin seems to screaming FRUIT. My right wrist is mainly peach -- dried and slightly dusty peach -- with an faint undertone of something vaguely tobacco-like. My left wrist is straight-up pot-pourri, possibly with currants and clove. Late dry down (app. 45 minutes on the skin): Peach pout-pourri, straight-up. Final verdict: I smell like the inside of an old lady's house. Not for me.

In the imp: Cedar. Polished and smooth. Like my jewelry box. Wet on wrists: The citrus jumps out. It's like a layer of expensive polish on the cedar box. Early dry down (10 minutes): This is actually kind of strange. The cedar is dominant, but now it smells slightly smoked -- and it's not anything like the lab's usual smoke notes. It almost smells like...sausage?! It's a crisp, slightly charred, deep, slightly greasy and almost peppery smoke. Yet, it's not terribly foody. More like crispy grease than actual sausage. It's very much a workshop scent rather than a kitchen one, yet I can't quite shake the sausage comparison. Maybe I just have that on the brain because I have left-over kielbasa for lunch? Late dry down (1 hour): As this dried the smoke that showed up faded. It settled into a polished cedar scent with occasional glimpses of citrus in the top note range. It's not quite as straight-forward as that, of course. It's actually extremely well blended - round and smooth. It still strikes me as workshop scent, but a darn sexy one. It actually reminds me very much of Krampus, minus the spice notes. Overall: Love. A bottle of this is going on my wishlist. I want to try it on J too.

In the imp: Sweet lime. Like limeade in the summer time or sweet lime candies. The lime is a bit artificial. Wet on skin: Same sweet line as in the imp. It has a certain carbonated tickle in the nose: Early dry down (10ish minutes): This tartens up as it dries on my skin and the lime note becomes less artificial. Now I'm smelling sliced slimes for drink garnishes mixed with a bit of sugar syrup. It's much fresher and less tooth aching than it was upon initial application. There's also something sour/sharp green-herbal in the background. Late dry down (45ish minutes): Much tarter than I had expected from the description and previous reviews. It fades quickly, leaving a tart skin scent reminiscent of yuzu.

When I was a little girl my father was the foreman of the Tool Room in a metal stamping plant. This was in the late 70s and early 80s during the first round of the auto industry crisis and he worked a lot of extra hours in order to keep his job. Because he was in charge, he often had to be in the shop fixing things even when the lines weren't running. In fact, he liked being in the factory when the lines weren't running because it was quieter, cooler and he could get things done without constant interruptions. Often, this meant he went into work on Saturday or Sunday to make the repairs he needed to have done for the line on Mondays. Fairly often he would bring me with him. He'd throw my big wheel in the back of his truck and let me ride all around the shop on the concrete floor while he worked. When I got bored I'd beg him for quarters and buy candy from the break-room vending machines. There was no one in the whole plant but me and him, and it was deadly quiet except for his radio (usually a ball game) and my big wheel tires. I pretended that the huge presses that I was riding around were trees in a forest or giants turned to stone or killer robots that had run down and needed to be wound back up. When I applied the Hell Gate, I was transported back to those days. First, there was the black musk which was my father's cologne from the 70s. Then, there was the metallic tang of copper feathers, which was almost exactly the scent of the huge presses. The lingering smell of burnt oil was always in the air, and it was in this oil. This is not an oil I'll wear often. It doesn't smell good or "me," but it is super evocative. If the Hell Gate is meant to transport one into an empty auto factory circa 1980, this succeeds in a huge way.

In the imp: The red musk is dominant, but I get a sweet, purple undertone which is probably coming from the orchid and the herbs. Oddly, it reminds me of Tintagel. Wet on skin: Red musk is dominant on my skin, but it always is in a wet application. After a few moments the sweetness starts to rise and I get a a whiff of sweet, high, slightly bitter herbs on the back of my palate. It smells poisonous, but in a way that might trick someone into drinking the poison and think it's just an odd mulling spice. It's deceptive. Spicy, sweet and bitter all at once. Early dry down (10 minutes): The red musk is still mainly dominant in this, but the spices are quickly rising to the surface to join it. The clove is what reminds me of Tintagel I think. It's definitely got a mulled spices sort of vibe mingling with the red musk. It's very sensual and becoming just a bit dry and powdery as it dries. The bitter herbal note is giving way to a crushed/powdered herb note like a medicinal tea (in it's dry form) that has been sweetened with a bit of vanilla. This scent seduces, but also seems like something soporific. Late dry down (45 minutes to an hour): This is definitely a red musk/spice blend on me with just touches of vanilla and a little deepening from tonka. The orchid, which scared me, seems to be pretty non-present or perhaps the have blended so subtly with the herbs that it is more bitter than floral on me. The blend reminds me of Tintagel (the spices), Madame Moriarity (the red musk with vanilla) and Red Lantern (I can't quite pinpoint why, but as it dries this comparison comes more and more to mind -- I suspect it may be the tonka, orchid and the sensual nature of the scent). I rather like this and think I need more of it. Maybe not a whole bottle but a half bottle or some additional decants would probably get worn.