ReallyZeb

In the bottle the main scent I get is Dorian. Freshly applied, the red musk comes to the fore, with a green and spicy background, and the spice from the carnation keeps intensifying over the next half hour. I agree that a blackberry note peeps out but I do get a touch of smoke too - the sort where you just get a distant whiff on the wind in autumn. It settles down to become less spicy and some honey finally appears, but that turns to beeswax on me quite soon. It kind of reminds me of a spicier Lady Una, but I think it will change once the bottle has settled down.

Last updated: 6th Oct 2015 New year, new questions - but all the old blogs are still relevant. Wishlists Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/registry/wishlist/388AMHU9X80YL Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/people/PrayUntoBastet/favorites/items-i-love?ref=favs_index_1 SockDreams: http://www.sockdreams.com/_users/wishlists/00c60af6506718d Crocus: http://www.crocus.co.uk/ViewWishList/_/WLID.123653/WLPASS.2adca3ecedfe407689f1e770b612b092 I keep all my wishlists up to date, but ignore the 'shops' bit on Etsy as sometimes those are things for other people. Alcohol: You might not be able to send it because customs, but I drink spirits except the hell that is tequila. I prefer Irish whiskey, rum, brandy, mead Pumpkin - I don't mind it Yellowstone/huckleberries - I have never tried huckleberries, would love to Decorating - very eclectic, so here's a wall from my old house which I have not as yet had the spare time to replicate, but it's on the list! For those of you who don't drink alcohol, can you specify if you live with any drinkers or ever have alcohol on hand for guests, vs. abstaining and preferring not to have it around at all? Are you a fan of the TV show Penny Dreadful? I've got the first series ready to watch next What are your coffee and tea preferences? Do you prefer one, the other, both, or neither (and if it's neither, what about things like hot cider and cocoa)? Loose leaf or bags, whole bean or ground? Is caffeine OK? Any gadgetry you're in need of? Any brands or flavors that you particularly love, loathe, or want to try? coffee beans, especially flavoured, black tea in bags, especially chai and earl grey types. I love the David's tea that I've tried What's your sense of humor like? Do you enjoy puns? Play on words? Dirty humor? Dry humor? Who are some of your favorite comedians? Bill Hicks is my all-time favourite, also like David Mitchell, Bob Monkhouse, Stephen Fry, Bill Bailey. I like sarcasm, clever word play, dry & some dirty humour. (yes, my humour has a "u" in it!) Do you like board games? If so, which ones? Traditional or more unique? (like Settlers of Catan, Small World, Red Dragon Inn, etc) I love Smallworld and Munchkin and play board games with one of my partners. Really want to try Cards Against Humanity but also mentioned this in the 13 Nights swap so maybe check with my swapper there. Is there anything that you specifically do NOT want to receive? Religious stuff Plain or fun socks? I like both - I like subtle fun ones rather than full-on, and I like interesting textured plain ones. Love stripey socks too, but no toe socks please Name one (or as many as you would like) thing you would like to learn more about? I still have a lot to learn about gardening, sorely tempted to learn baking but then I might eat more (I refer you to the conflicted bit in my questionnaire!) What one thing you would like to do more of? exercise, relax, playpiano (learn to count ) What are some things that fascinate you? Or, What would you like to know more about? my real fascination is the social history of diseases, I own books on things like how different disease through the ages have been touted as 'evidence' of sin, like how at one point Leprosy had all the same social commentary as HIV did later. I still have a few flu and smallpox books on my wishlist! Would you like any cookie butter (just to be clear, store-bought, not home-made, and does contain wheat since it's, y'know, cookie butter)? No thanks, I hate it Is there any particular piece (or pieces) of art (painting, photograph, etc) that speaks to you in some way? I did a long answer in the thread but basically pre-raphaelite What kinds of things would you like from the Lilith BPAL or BPTP update (or are you joining a decant circle?) I've joined a decant circle Do you want to received knit or crocheted items? If so, could you describe or even link to a couple of items similar to what you would like to receive? Socks always welcome, would love a small beanie/skullcap type hat but have quite a small head. An example of style not colour or pattern. What thing do you want to do (or get) but you keep putting off for one reason or another? Would you like anything from Lush? No thank you, I've been shopping from them since before they were called Lush! Do you prefer hand-made or store-bought? I like both SPICY! Scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "oh, that's a bit too much black pepper for me" and 10 being "ghost pepper? scorpion pepper? I laugh at these! I love as much heat as you can throw my way!" Where are you? probably 6 What is your BPAL "Holy Grail"? Tea (the Luper) ranks high because you can't search for it on the forum, but also Banshee Beat because I stupidly sold my spare bottle Analog or Digital? Or Both? Analog for films, either for books, digital for music What scents from other perfume companies are you really wanting to have in your collection and or are just really wanting to test? Companies like NAVA, Arcana, Solstice Scents, Possets, Haus of Gloi etc.....? Just the two on my wishlist Do you have an affinity for any specific animals? Cats, rats, little lizards, ducks if they're rubber! Kitchen Needs or Wants? A pepper grinder that actually works well, interesting spice mixes from your area (except Hawaii - I have a ton of spices from there from a previous round) Makeup! Do you like it, would you want some? If so what brands do you like to wear? Eyeliner is all I wear, and I prefer the sort that sharpens itself. I usually wear Clinique in brown, grey, green purple or black Chocolate fiends ahoy! What kind of chocolate do you like? Do you like any other things in it or just plain good ole chocolate? Love chocolate especially Ghiradelli, Lindt, Seattle Chocolate, Suchard, Montezuma. I like things in it but not whole almonds as I broke a tooth on one of those. Itty bitty almond is fine. Would you be opposed to receiving a ton of Halloween themed items? I don't really do Halloween so it would be a waste Would you be interested in any special little thing I might be able to pick up from the Great Lakes Bat Festival this Saturday? Both Janell Cannon (author of Stellaluna and other kids' books) and Fiona Reid (illustrator for lots of animal field guides) will be there, so would you possibly be interested in something like an autographed copy of Stellaluna or one of Cannon's or Reid's other books? Or something from the Organization for Bat Conservation, like a shirt or other swag? If there ended up being a bat print available I'd like that What items from the Weenie update interest you, should you have to option of getting anything as a gift from your Witch??? Would you be ok with decants, or bottles? I'm going to get decants of: Second Spring Apples II, III, IV and V Young Woman Appealing To A Witch Depart Pour Le Sabbat Liebeszauber The Magic Circle The Witches Witches Kitchen Portrait of an Unidentified Man As Mephistopheles I'm not going to buy until I've tried decants but my most likely needs for bottles are: Witches Kitchen Portrait of an Unidentified Man As Mephistopheles What's your favorite scary movie? I don't like horror films because people are generally stupid. So i'd probably pick a Clive Barker film like Nightbreed, but in no way could I call any of them a favourite. I listed my other favourites in the original questionnaire. Blu-ray or DVD? Either is fine but they need to be Region 2 for Europe Game systems - console or computer? Mac/PC? Which console? The only game I really have time for now is Sunless Sea, the standalone spin off from Fallen London, which I play on my Mac Are you dressing up for Halloween and if so do you need any accessories for if? I don't dress up Talk to me about bags, what kinds do you like? Sizes and styles? I could do with plasticised totes for gardening stuff, or a satchel/messenger style that would fit music books in as well as the rest of my stuff What are your favorite fandoms and do you want to receive anything related to such? Firefly, Babylon 5, Dr Who, Gotham What are you planning to order from the Weenies update? See above The Last Huzzah of the NY Renaissance Faire happens this weekend and I'm going! Is there anything you might want? (Besides a turkey leg, which won't ship well!) Do you like comics or graphic novels? Any issues or collections you want to read? I love graphic novels but have a vast collection, only after things on my Amazon wishlist Do you like fanfic? Would you like a story written for you as part of your gift? What characters/fandoms/pairings etc do you like? I'm not a big fan of fanfic, sorry Where do you have wishlists at? If you could please link to them or to a post that links to them. (Amazon, Etsy, Think Geek, Pinterest, Sephora, Lush, BPAL/BPTP, Soap Box Company, everywhere and anywhere!) All at the top of the blog Let's say you have indicated interest in receiving a hand knitted item. What colors, exactly, do you like? If you could provide color swatches here or to pinterest (or something visual), that would help out a lot. This purple or this mix or this green or this blue are all very much my sort of thing Would you rather receive a bunch of little packages through the round, a couple of medium packages, or one big package at the end? Whatever you pick is fine but for preference lots of little packages or a couple of medium ones For those of us with out-of-country Witchees, would you be happy with receiving a few packages from local to you merchants (say, through Etsy or equivalent)? Yes, I always do this for my witchee Would Witchees like something from IKEA? (Or any other not always accessible by everyone store?) Not unless you can ship me a new bookshelf If/when you go to the mall, for which store(s) do you beeline? The deli and the comic book store Do you receive any subscription boxes (julep, lootcrate, ipsy, birchbox, etc.)? Graze Do you like tarts/candles/incense? If so, what type of scents? ot right now, I will have a new kitten next week so am avoiding burny stuff Is there anything you wish you could have picked up from the Dragon*Con exclusives? BPTPs Housebreaking Your Dragon atmo Is there a GC you've been dying to try but haven't got around to yet? No The questionnaire asked about gold & silver jewelry, but how do you feel about copper jewelry? Do you like colorful jewelry, or do you prefer to keep it neutral? I like copper jewellery We asked about decorating style, but are you interested in receiving decorations for your home? Are you interested in things that go on the wall or things that go on shelves? I can probably find space for a couple more wall things, but very little room for shelf things unless they also have a purpose Office supplies hound? Pens, pencils, journals, any preference, or favorites? Pens for drawing especially Letraset promarker type and very very fine point black pens Talk to me about socks! Is there anything, dear, dear Witchee, that I can get for you from Sock Dreams? Anything from another place? I love Sock Dreams and have a wishlist, also have lots on my Etsy wishlist I live near a huuuuge candy store. What kind of candy do you like? Gummies? Caramel? Chocolate? Sour? Sugar-free? Those US tea and coffee candies are always a favourite when I get them as frimps How do you feel about animal products? Not so much animal toys or food, but more like furs, paws, bones, etc. No, the cats will think it's theirs Are you interested in receiving any restaurant.com gift certificates for your area? No, I dont think they reach this far! How do you feel about "toys" - stuffed animals and the like? I might like interesting/cute/geeky ones. I have cuddly Rubella, MRSA and Brain Cells Did you see the eclipse last night? How do you feel about astrological events, like eclipses? Any interest in the Blood Moon Eclipse scent from BPAL? I watched it but I think the scent will burn me Witchee's, how tall are you? And perhaps, what's your arm span (from wrist to wrist)? short and wide! 5'2" but no idea about arm span How do you feel about the 4 elements? Or are you more of an Asian 5 elements person? Do you feel strongly about any of the elements, like a connection or a preference? I prefer the 5 elements How do you feel about bento boxes? Is it something you would use if you were to get one? I have one really cute one but would potentially use another especially if it actually sealed properly Scarves, shawls or cowls? Mittens, gloves, fingerless mitts or wristlets? fingerless gloves how do you feel about online classes? Like, say, craftsy or creativebug? Or even lynda.com? I don't have the time What do we want from Paintbox Soapworks? I'd love to try a hot process soap like Rice Pudding and I love sorbettos - Afternoons & Eiderdowns, Rice Pudding or Gingermilk would all suit me well If I were to make you some art, would you prefer a frame that hangs or one that sits? And what color/style would you prefer? A frame that hangs please. As for style, look at my Etsy wishlist for an idea How do you feel about gourmet marshmallows? Yum as long as they arent floral flavoured Are you a slatherer or a dabber? It depends on the scent Talk to me, dear witchies, about tea. I know we've covered this a little, but I really need the nitty gritty here- not just companies you like and don't like (Teavana? Adagio? David's? Some tiny place?) but I also want to know the other stuff: top 3 flavors, loose or bagged, the kinds of tea accessories you use- or have always wanted. Be specific. Provide links if necessary. Bagged tea will get more use but I do own a teapot and strainer. I love chais, earl//lady grey and smoky black teas like Lapsang and Russian Caravan Villainess is putting out brand new stuff for the first time in a while (as opposed to bringing back former lines). Sooo.... who wants it? Never tried anything but Gingerleaf sounds lovely and the Smack sounds good is many scents How does everyone feel about duct tape crafts? Any favorite patterns? not really my thing Are there any flowers you especially like? Fritillaria, cornflowers, forget-me-nots, irises, borage Would you be interested in any cozies or cases (yarn o fabric, not hard cases) for tech stuff (phone, laptop' etc) or for cups/mugs/bottles or anything else similar. no thank you Would you like Halloween or Day of the Dead themed ornaments or a "bunting"? no thank you Are there witchees who would like book related gifts like a booklight, bookmark, bookseat or something for your reading gadget,like a cover or a light for example. no thank you, I have a wonderful cover for my Kindle I make handmade journals, mini albums and similar items. Would my witchee be interested in something like that? I do love interesting journals What songs/music/artists/CD's do you like to listen to around Halloween? the same as the rest of the year Are you interested in leg warmers at all? nope, I lived through the 80s Is your Halloween style scary, cutesy, folksy, grotesque . . .? Such as it is, probably cutesy. I bought the Portal board game last week & it came with a Portal 2 steam free download code. I already have the game on another console & it's one of my favorite series of all time. Soooo, would you want it? No thank you Have you read The Martian? Or do you plan on watching the movie? I haven't read it but I'd like to Pertaining to that, how does everyone feel about such things? Will anyone be participating? How about NaNo swag, is there any you want? I don't understand the question! Honey or beeswax products? Discuss. Yes How do you feel about bumper stickers and car magnets? What do you like--cute, pretty, snarky, geeky/fandomy? I have no car

When wet it's a sharp lavender with a background of the rosemary and an almost citrus edge coming in as it dries. Once dry the bergamot comes to the fore with the rosemary still around. After about 30 minutes its turned into a lovely smooth blackberry and white musk which is mellow and beautiful and makes this a definite keeper. I might even need a backup.

This was the special imp from the Trading Post shirt grab bag. When I was younger and I was away at school I got sick one hot summer day, and had to go lie down in the sick room. Just outside they were redoing the drive and the smell of hot sticky tar made me heave even more. Since then I try to avoid going past roadworks as it brings it all back, including the nausea. This on me smells exactly like a freshly poured road and because of that it immediately made me heave.

Vanilla: Detestable Putrescence, Eat Me, Good, Hollywood Babylon, O and Mouse Circus plus you really should try Dorian even though it includes a little tea Honey: O, Alice, Cockaigne, Crib Girls, Kill-Devil, Good, Strawberry: Hollywood Babylon, Bon Vivant LE recs: Mother Shub's Gingerbread Temples (ginger & honey) and Gingerbread Goblin (Gingerbread with black coconut, patchouli, and sweet benzoin), Iulia, L'Artiste du Diable (currently available), Womb Furie (LE but available almost every Jan/Feb) Also look out for people selling Chaos Theory VII Gourmand bottles - you can usually find the notes for each particular bottle listed in reviews

#99 When it was wet it was an overpowering piney smell like floor cleaner. Once dry its much much nicer. It has some dry woods - maybe cedar or something along those lines. it has a fresh, crisp, aquatic sort of note. It gives me the impression of a forest on the edge of a glacier, so fresh it almost hurts. It's not my sort of thing for perfume but I wish I had an atmo spray of this one.

CT VII Fougere #44 Very limey when wet, which I like, but as is usual with lime it disappears really quickly. The fougere that's left stays citrusy for a while, with a touch of lavender. Once it's dry it's subtle herbs and citrus with maybe a tiny bit of cedar.

Gourmand #153 - First I get a blast of buttered rum, then a back note of maybe cherry or bubblegum, plus a vanilla cake type background note. When it dries it's a more subtle booxy cake scent Gourmand #243 - Lemon poppy seed cake/biscuits is the closest I get. The lemon is quite mellow and the biscuity thing is subtle. There's a dry savoury note which I interpret as the poppy seeds, which comes to the fore as it dries, then the lemon reappears as a slightly herbal lemon - more like lemongrass.

When it's wet all I get is a massive lavender overdose, but it settles down pretty quickly. There's still a gentle hint of lavender, a powdery swathe of amber and gentle fig peeking through. I don't get the ylang ylang for which I'm grateful, and I can't really pick out the patch. Beautiful and unlike anything else I've tried.

Very, very nice: honey-coated honeysuckle and sugar cane. Very very sweet and very very honeysuckly. It's obviously quite rich and takes a minute to sink into the skin properly, but once it does it feels very soft. I think it's kind of a lush, full on, late summer tropical garden vibe. (It's not the glop I would have chosen as most florals aren't my thing but all the Naughty scents were full of death notes)

An invigorating shock of eucalyptus petals, white mint, pink lime, and rosemary! This is certainly unlike any other BPTP bath oil I've tried! In the bath I get quite a well balanced blend of eucalyptus, rosemary and mint. It's very fresh and zesty, but also not overpowering, it felt quite subtle while I was in there. Now I'm out of the bath, the whole house smells of it, and my skin smells of herbal lime - again very subtle. it makes my bathroom smell clean even though its not! I found it strange to have something so energy-inducing in the bath as I tend to have showers for that and baths to relax so I'm not sure about it yet - it might do better as something to slather after a shower, but it layers beautifully with Lavinia.

Cloister Graveyard In The Snow might suit you if you can find it.

I got the ouchy burny reaction, but before I had to wash it off it smelled lovely, a not too sweet spicy resin

White tea and olibanum with tangerine rind, clove bud, white bergamot, and unripe poisonous berries. Both in the bottle and wet I get a lovely light citrussy scent, from the bergamot and the tea with a tiny touch of tangerine. Once it dries I immediately get hit with clove, lots of clove - like two planets colliding and Planet Clove completely squashes poor old Planet Citrus. The berries may be circling at a distance, but only make an appearance after a couple of hours to add a sour fruit edge to the clove.

The first note I get is almond but this vanishes once its dry and it turns into a really light and pretty rose with just a touch of citrus. After a couple of hours the beeswaxy note from the honey is the most prominent. If I dip into gender stereotyping for a minute, this would be great for a young girl.

This is beautiful wet and for the first half hour once it's dry - a tiny touch of pear, quite a bit of coconut and a little powdery amber, but then it goes to beeswax and plastic - so sad

First blast is definitely blueberry rather than any other berry. I then also get the lemon verbena, but no lavender. Once dry, I also get a full blown scent memory of hiding in undergrowth in the woods as a child, roaming around playing on my own, which has brought tears to my eyes. A keeper.

I use my oils in the bath and this is beautifully blended - nothing is overpowering, just lovely spicy incensey goodness

This is terribly strong when it's wet and drying down - almost all overwhelming musk. Once it's settled on my skin for an hour it is far more subtle - dry soft, almost ambery spices and peach that is definitely dried rather than juicy. Soft and beautifully melded. Another keeper.

Wet in the bottle it's fruity in a way that some strong fruit spirits are - that almost acrid note. Once dry, to me this is a dead ringer for Misfortune Teller V3 which makes me very happy indeed - fruity richness and very opulent dark incense. I will need more than my one bottle.

I absolutely hate most florals but this is lovely - a cottage garden type of scent that smells quite classic and old-fashioned, but only in a good way. I get nostalgia from it for some reason.

Killer Jasmine Of Doom I had to try because everything else sounded so wonderful but alas, floral cat pee is all I get. Damn.

In the bottle it smelled quite sharp and I worried, but once it has dried down it is sweet cuddly musk with a woody sharpness in the background. It very much smells of old hippy shop to me, slightly dusty and dry spicyness. I'd agree with Balame about it evoking the air just before it rains. It's beautiful.

The warmest, snuggiest way to tame a savage beast: hazelnut coffee with dark chocolate, sweet fig milk, warm brown amber, and terebinth pine. I am happy to report that this smells nothing like wet dog! It stays pretty true from bottle to bath - a lovely warm rich scent that reminds me of dark chocolate-covered lebkuchen. It's chocolatey and gently spicy and nutty and yum! This is a bath oil that picks you up and wraps you in a warm fluffy blanket before handing you hot chocolate and cookies. Afterwards I get the faintest breath of the pine finally peeking through. This needs to come in bigger bottles and they all need to live with me

This is strange, not what I expected. When wet I get a generic fruity scent, which dries down to a lovely creamy lemon tea scent. This fades after an hour or so and I'm left with a dusty, woody, tonka. I wish the middle stage lingered a bit longer, right now I'm not sure on it.