joyfulgirl

I dream’d this mortal part of mine Was Metamorphoz’d to a Vine; Which crawling one and every way Enthralled my dainty Lucia. Me thought, her long small legs & thighs I with my Tendrils did surprize; Her Belly, Buttocks, and her Waste By my soft Nerv’lits were embrac’d: About her head I writhing hung, And with rich clusters (hid among The leaves) her temples I behung: So that my Lucia seem’d to me Young Bacchus ravisht by his tree. My curles about her neck did craule, And armes and hands they did enthrall: So that she could not freely stir, (All parts there made one prisoner.) But when I crept with leaves to hide Those parts, which maids keep unespy’d, Such fleeting pleasures there I took, That with the fancie I awook; And found (Ah me!) this flesh of mine More like a Stock, than like a Vine. - Robert Herrick Bradford pear, honey, and vanilla cream. in the bottle: pear pear pear! sparkling, sweet, crisp and delicious! wet on my skin: getting the honey now. it melds with the pear very nicely, i must say...a good match. starting to get creamy notes, which keep this from turning into all-fruit-all-the-time. almost overwhelmingly sweet upon first applying it, but it's already died down after a few minutes, so i imagine that will continue. dry on my skin: crisp and comforting. it has faded significantly though and is now a faint, sweet, creamy cloud. i really like this, it's lovely. i am not usually into fruity scents (besides berries), but this is soft and inviting and appropriately evocative of springtime. i tend to enjoy scents with fewer notes and this one is no exception. i'm glad i picked it up...i can see this getting a lot of wear in spring and early summer!

Indonesian patchouli, tonka bean, red musk, natural hedoine accord, black opium, cassis, styrax, costus, oakmoss, frankincense, and kief accord. in the bottle: cinnamon, spicy! wet on my skin: ungh...all cinnamon, all the time. a little dusty, musky undertone to it, but mostly: lots 'o cinnamon. dry on my skin: wow, i guess my skin has just decided to amp the hell out of the cassis, because i really can't smell anything besides cinnamon. it's a vaguely sexy cinnamon, and my boyfriend really likes it, but it's a bit overwhelming to think about wearing it all day. i am going to give it a few days to recover from shipping and try it again to see if it calms down a little bit.

well wow. i love incense and resin blends, but this is the first one i've smelled that is EXACTLY the same as the incense from the roman catholic church i attended as a girl. so evocative and absolutely lovely. initially the throw was a little overwhelming (almost like i was in church with a censer clanging in front of me) but it's dried down to an almost crystallized version of that experience, with just a tiny bit of dry, crumbling sweetness. it's absolutely stunning. as an incense lover, i may have to snag a backup bottle of this.

good god. this is glorious. it's snake oil softened up and toned down by something less raw and sexy...more gently warm, inviting and comfortable. i am going to need a bottle and a backup - at least.

oh wow - a HUGE rush of jammy fruit right off the bat. after opening the decant to sniff, my husband, across the room, asked me "did you put on something with strawberry in it?" - and it does kind of remind me, initially, of sweet strawberry bubble gum. super delicious, juicy and sweet, it's kept slightly in check by the buttery, flaky pastry note underneath, which comes out a tiny bit once it's on my skin. the fruit is quite dominant though. it's SLIGHTLY reminiscent of monster bait: closet, which i'm not mad about. it's got great throw on me. staying power is so-so on my skin, i would imagine it would stay quite true if i ran a bit through my hair. this is a bottle buy for me!

oh this is glorious. sweet, sugary vanilla poofs with a muted chilly fir note underneath. i use it as a body oil after my shower and it stays true...a sweet, fresh, green base on my skin all day. i've paired it with snake oil and elf. it's a gorgeous complement for both - snake oil to amp the sweet and elf to amp the green/fir/pine. (so maybe that's actually aspen, since that's the note in elf?) in any case, i'm super glad i snagged a blind bottle of this. well worth it - a lovely winter holiday scent.

i'm super happy with this. in the bottle, it was all eucalyptus/camphor and cold mint. not super pleasant. but i tried it on. very cold, pine-y, minty. almost headache inducing. but after a while that burnt off and i was left with a lovely, cool, fresh vanilla. the initial blast of cold softened up so very nicely. i completely agree with comparisons to go to sleep, darlings. my only complaint is that it seems to have worn off fairly quickly, even in my hair - and i'm a slatherer!

when i first put this on, it smelled strongly of cigarette smoke to me, and i was initially pretty turned off. but it absolutely blossoms on my skin and becomes gorgeous - perfectly balanced and blended. the lab's oudh is just fantastic, and this is a warm, cozy, comforting scent. definitely the sleeper hit of this year's liliths for me.

i definitely got the SUUUUPER sweet grape in the bottle and initially on the skin - to the point that i was slightly worried, but like everyone else, the incense comes out in front very quickly. it has a tiny bit of "old lady" stage on me, but it dries down to a very nice, slightly sweet incense blend. i dig.

10/3/17 Witchee, would you like anything from the Trading Post Halloween update? https://blackphoenix...y/weenies-2017/ i'm kind of bummed, but honestly, nothing is calling out to me. 10/1/17 Awesome farmer's market by my house. They have a local honey stand (which also sells things made from local honey like Propolis tincture!); there's a small apothecary and she additionally makes soaps and hand-made, hand-poured scented candles; plus a guy that makes an array of BBQ and Hot Sauces. Does ny of this appeal? Would you like anything from my local farmer's market? oh yah, that all sounds lovely! Smolder Cosmetics. Do any of their products (glitter, eye dusts etc) appeal to you? https://smoldercosmetics.com cool stuff, but i'll pass, thanks! Anything from Strobe Cosmetics (http://strobecosmetics.com)? no makeup, thanks. How would you feel about getting Hello Kitty stuff? oh, fun! i like hello kitty. Would you like to get some favorite recipes? oh yes, for sure! Would you like anything from my shop? https://www.etsy.com/shop/LisaNut? cute stuff! but i already have a bunch of cowls i've made myself, so nothing i need to have! 9/30/17 Would you like anything from the Haus of Gloi Fall Part II update? https://www.hausofgl...ween-scent-list nothing's jumping out to me right now. 9/27/17 How do you feel about these little guys? I think they're adorable and kind of want them all, but especially the ghost and pirate ones. https://lovemomiji.c...imited-editions cute, but they're expensive for what they would end up being at my house - toddler fodder! 9/26/17 Witchees, do you want anything specifically from this page? Mitts, hat, shawls, unicorn... http://iceweasel.net/switchwitch/ the big shawl is pretty! What are your top three most wanted DC'd or previous LE BPALs? black lace monster bait: closet snakes in the pumpkin patch (although that could change if pumpkin spice snake oil is as amazing as i think it might be) What are some things you do NOT want to receive? dollar store type stuff - i'm always tempted, but unless it's consumable, it'll just sit around and collect dust at my house. is there anything from here that you might be interested in getting a print (or pillow/make-up case/etc) of? http://www.blackabbeystudios.com/store nothing's really jumping out at me. Claire's has some super cute Halloween stuff. In the style of Haunted Mansion - black lace collars, lace and sparkle masques and the like. A few items in Dias de los Muertos style. Would you be interested in such things? the haunted mansion stuff sounds fun - not totally my everyday style but fun to play will. i'll pass on the dias de los muertos stuff. Would you be interested in anything from Orange Thyme? https://shoporangethyme.com/ If so, which products/scents/flavors? nothing's calling my name. the peony/rose and rosemary/mint oils look interesting but of course they're sold out. 9/25/17 Anyone like/want calendars or dayplanners? i do all this through my phone, laptop, outlook and google calendars, so i'm good. If you like stationery, do you like plain, colors, images, or specific DON'T LIKES? i'm not super big into floral-y stuff. geometric, paisley and ornate designs are good. What about general desk stuff like cool colored paperclips and post it pads? sure! Would anyone be interested in having any of Abigail Larson's artwork (either as a print or on something, like a pillow, blanket, or t-shirt)? https://society6.com/abigaillarson oh i like the travel mugs - the black/white and red/white stripes, the la luna and toil and trouble are all adorable! Does anything catch your eye from Ten Thousand Villages? http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/ oh it all looks amazing. i can't even pick one thing! Would you be into receiving hand made (crocheted, sewn, felted, chain maille, scale, or duct tape, in my case, depending on the item) dishclothes? Scarf/shawl? Hat? Bag? Anything? Colors? (Duct tape, chain maille, and scales come in colors.) i love beautiful hand-knit shawls in lacy patterns. i've never had the time/patience to make one for myself but they're so lovely. Do you collect anything from SBUX like City Mugs, City Mug ornaments, City Cards, or Bearistas? If so, which do you need/want? Or would you like a City Mug or an ornament for fun? i do not collect anything, but a city mug from my witch's city sounds fun! anybody want homemade fudge? I can do chocolate with or without nuts, peanut butter, and butterscotch. um dude yes. no nuts, but yes to everything else! do you like spicy foods? I am currently addicted to these suckers and want to send you some buffalo ridged kettle potato goodness (https://www.billygoa...shop/1lb-kicker) i love jalapeno kettle chips and sriracha sauce. what would you like from the Weenies updatus giganticus??? oh yes. i'm eyeballing Dead Leaves, Black Plum, bitter clove, and oudh, Dad Leaves, Violet Candy, and Sugar Crystals and probably multiple backups of Pumpkin Spice Snake Oil oh and the sugar skull BO and HG from the post - and probably some stuff from the post too, TBD! 9/24/17 do you collect the art cards that BPAL sends out? Any in particular that you are looking for or definitely don't need? i don't collect them myself, so no. nothing i'm needing Do you like this beautiful art, and she makes stickers and prints...SOOOO gorgeous: https://www.shannatr...om/paperprints/ wow, these are lovely, but i don't really have any where i would put a print. maybe a sticker though - i love the ones with deer. Favorite animals or wild creatures or mythological creatures? cats, deer, dragons would you like any swag from the Depeche Mode concert? (pins, posters, shirts, program, dunno what they'll have!) holy shit i love DM. maybe something small, like a pin? Is anyone interested in the new Resistance scents that the Lab just released (Take a Knee and SN: Flor de Maga)? yah, take a knee looks great! Is anyone here into zero waste, plastic free living, urban homesteading, or any simplicity/minimalism-esque lifestyles? If so, could you use any tools or equipment? that all sounds great, if i was single again i might be pretty into it. it's so hard with a toddler though. 9/23/17 Are you interested in anything from Bath & Bodyworks? Which products and scents do you like? www.bathandbodyworks.com/ i like vanilla bean noel from them - that's about it. i don't think it's out yet though. but i'm open to trying new stuff! I am possibly going to a crystal / gem show tomorrow. I can't afford expensive gem stones, but... What kind of crystals would you like? ooh - pretty agate slices, geodes, crystal points, etc. all sound nice! Pumpkin or Zucchini bread? pumpkin! although i like both! What kind of homemade cookies are your favorite? oh man, so hard to choose. i like pretty much any, as long as they don't have chopped nuts in them (nut butters are fine!). Could you use a muscle rub? (We make ours on the lunar cycle and it has menthol, wintergreen, habanero, cayenne, olive oil, st. john's wort, arnica, beeswax, calendula, and ginger. It tingles. We call it "Thunder Butter". If you have really really super sensitive skin, I would recommend against it. And don't take a hot shower or open all of your pores before using it.) i've tried tiger balm before and it's pretty meh for me, plus my skin is sensitive, so i'll pass. Interested in trying some of our rose petal (rose petals, sugar, everclear) or lavender vanilla bean (lavender, vanilla bean, vodka) liqueur? omg, for sure. Want some honey from the bees on our property? yes, yes and hell yes! Would you like some homemade jam? I have blackberry, rose petal, strawberry rhubarb, peach, and cherry. gahd, those all sound incredible. How about some homemade candied jalapenos with garlic cloves? I have regular and with habanero. the regular sounds great for sauces and cooking! I didn't dry any apples this year but I was thinking of heading over to Green Bluff and seeing if any honeycrisps are left. I have a commercial dehydrator so let me know if you are interested in any "Apple Crips" (as voodoocatwoman calls them!) I wash, peel, core, and slice before dehydrating. yes, i love these! i have a small dehydrator, but a friend is borrowing it right now, so i'd love some! Do you need any kind of dice bag, tote, project bag, cosmetic bag, pencil bag, or whatever? I have lots of bag patterns and fabric. We make bags under the name Twinkle N Twilight. cosmetic bag is definitely needed. and maybe a needle case for my traveling knitting projects. Or how about a couple of pillowcases? my hubs is picky about our bedsheets, so i'll have to pass on that. 9/22/17 Would my witchee like this to warm up the fall coffee cup?? https://www.truelemo...gory-s/1871.htm ugh, can't handle stevia. do you like to take baths? if so, do you like oils, salts, things that fizz, all of the above, none of the above? yes, and all of the above! What style/make/etc of phone do you have? What about size of tablet? Laptop? Would you like decals, skins, or cases for any of these? i have an iphone 6s, but i have a nice case + matching pop socket, so i'm good there. i am not allowed to put anything on my laptop, cause it's a corporate device. poo. 9/21/17 See's Candy. My absolute favorite. They have special Halloween candy..any of these pique your interest?? Cinnamon Apple Scotch Mallows, Pumpkin spice truffles, pumpkinspice lollypops, caramel apple lollypops, or any other of their chocolates, etc? oooh these sound awesome - except the chocolate, which i have to limit due to migraines. the rest all sounds absolutely delicious. Are any witchees into coloring books? yah! i love the mandala/geometry style adult coloring books! Witchees, is there anything that catches your eye at Animi Causa (https://www.animicausa.com/shop/)? lots of cute stuff, but nothings jumping out at me. If I were to find an adorable autumnal/Halloween-y dish/flatware/etc. design, how many settings would be needed in your household? oh jeez. at least 8. that's probably not a good idea right now with a little one though, unless it's plastic or something else unbreakable. 9/20/17 Do you like Broadway shows/music? If so what are some of your favorites and/or ones that you hope to see or listen to eventually? Would you like merch from your favorite shows or CDs from shows you want to listen to? i liked rent, but that's really the only one i've ever seen live. I'm heading to NYCC in October! Is there anything I can get my Witchee while I'm there? omg, yes, the bath oil and both the apple marshmallow perfume and HG!! I'm going to Edmonton Expo this weekend (It's Edmonton's version of comic con). Would a witchee like anything from there? i don't think so. Anything catch your eye from this site (globalgirlfriend.com)? ooooh, yes! what a great site! i love the pouches - i would totally carry makeup or other goodies in one of those gorgeous little numbers! the copper rings and bracelets are pretty incredible as well. the unity necklace and world tribe bracelets are lovely. i do already have some recycled bead jewelry, so i'm good on that front. the bath and body stuff all looks amazing. Do you have any favorite, lesser-known stores? Especially ones that sell hand-crafted or independently made items. i do, but they're local places mostly - my local new age shops and boutiques. Imagine you're going to the most gigantic art & craft show imaginable, and money is no object - what kind of things would you gravitate towards and probably spend money on? Include as specific as you want to get! things knit from bright, thick, squishy yarn. handmade candles or bath and body stuff made with local ingredients. 9/19/17 Are you interested in anything from Think Geek? http://www.thinkgeek.com oooh, pretty much any of the star trek jewelery or pins. the game of thrones ladies tanks (a girl has no name and "i drink and i know things") are amazing. Do you have something you wish you put on your original questionnaire/forgot to put/would like to add on to? i don't think so? Any additional misc. information about yourself you want your Witch to know? (I think this was on the survey, but again if there's something that you forgot...) i don't think so! If you could decorate your house (or one room) in any one theme, what would it be? Your answer can be as simple ("Star Wars" or "Baroque" or "Modern"), or complicated or a combination (e.g. Victorian Gothic) as you feel best fits. i kind of have 3 different answers - my personal room? witchy/yoga. a family room? steampunk-y. play room for my son? star trek. Aprons: Do you wear them, do you want one? Utility, decorative, cooking or crafting? i do wear them, but i already have 3 of varying styles, so i don't really need another one. BTW, would my witchee be interested in something like this? (photo of black and white striped knitted doll) it's cute, but not super my style, and my toddler would likely destroy it. 9/18/17 It seems like there's a question about socks on the questionnaire, but I don't think it got down to this level: Do you wear them? Any particular style (crew length, knee high, anklet, boot, etc.) or fiber (wool, cotton, bamboo anything but wool, etc.) preference? i like all lengths. i'm fine with any material as well. Would you be open to previously-loved books? yep! What about partial-full bottles of BPAL or BPTP? sure, of course! So what are your favorite fandoms? star trek, studio ghibli, the avengers (black widow specifically), lord of the rings, game of thrones/asoiaf. 9/17/17 I'm in France at the moment, is there anything here you might like? I'm in Provence, the land of lavender, so if you like that flower in particular just say so! oh some lavender does sound lovely! are you into divination? What kind(s) do you currently do? Do you want more books and/or tools for that type (e.g. new tarot cards, new runes)? Is there a new type of #divination you've been meaning to try, and if so, are you looking for the tool, a book on the subject, or both? i'd love to try it, but i've never done it before, so i'd need some beginner level information and/or training. World my Witchee be interested in a Tarot or Astrology reading done personally? sure! Does my Witchee need any magical supplies? sure! small goddess statues, altar candles, TAL oils, etc. Would you be interested in any of the seasonal (or regular) soaps from Cellar Door Soap (https://cellardoorbathsupply.com)? sure! quite a few of these look lovely. i'd say my regular note preferences apply! 9/16/17 Favorite gemstones? emeralds (my engagement ring is an emerald), rubies (my birthstone) and blue sapphires (my favorite color) If you enjoy jewelry do you like discrete and elegant, flashy and gaudy, small and light, or large and chunky? somewhere between elegant and chunky. Any love of pirates or SCA? not particularly. Is there anything you would like from Disney World? nothing specific. Are you a Potterhead? If so, to which house do you belong? i like harry potter ok. i always sort into gryph. i'm not like a fanatic or anything but i enjoyed the movies. How do you feel about chokers? pretty ok - not super excited about them, but they're ok. 9/15/17 Here's a few questions from me: Would you like some Halloween or other themed decor in the form of a banner, something like this http://www.etsy.com/...n-decor-vintage? If so, would you prefer a traditional style or a vertical door type? yah, super cute! i'd use either style! Do you live near a Trader Joe's? If not, are you interested in trying any of the numerous Pumpkin goodies they come out with this time every year? i live right near one, thanks though! Do you like to cook and/or bake? Could you use any specific ingredients (spices, oils, salts, extracts, etc.) or kitchen utensils/gadgets? i do like to cook and bake. spice or herb mixes of all kinds are welcome! I'm at Ocean City MD for bike week......would a witches want anything from here? Bike or beach related?? no thanks! What is 1 thing you would love to see in your final box? Can be ANYTHING - your choice. some kind of baked good or candy. i have a wicked sweet tooth. Who would love some USPS eclipse stamps? ooh sure! 9/14/17 Do any of you potential Witchees have any kitties, puppers, or youngling humans you want spoiled in your packages? What treats or toys do they like? i have 2 cats who love catnip, and a 2 year old son (ethan) who loves trucks and construction equipment (despite my best efforts to give him a broad mix of girls, boys and gender-neutral toys...he loves heavy machinery!) Is there any interest in any of the fragrance oils from the Nocturne Alchemy Weenies update? i've never been into NA - i've received a few frimps and empties and none of them were really up my alley. Is there anything you want from the trading post (or trading post etsy) that is available to order right now? (Fatherhood, Puppers, normal GC things) i really need some TKO massage oil, as mine is almost gone and i use it for bedtime at least once a week - alas, it's out of stock. maybe it'll come back soon? i would maaaybe check out the pillory or wednesday's child. i don't really use hair glosses, i've never been able to get them to work for my hair. 9/13/17 Are you a gamer? If so, what games are you currently playing and is there any merch for that game you'd love to have?- i used to play world of warcraft and it completely consumed my life for 4+ years, so i've kind of backed away from gaming. i do enjoy board games, but more family type games than serious campaign type stuff. If you are a gamer do you have a steam/gamestop/amazon wishlist? i have a few board games on my amazon wishlist - the link is in the stalking spreadsheet. How do you feel about the following scarf options (assuming you're into scarves)? Simple eyelet scarf Chevron scarf Lacy and fuzzy Skinny rib knit (extra long for lots of wrapping) Leafy! i like the first one the best and then probably the chevron. the others i could take or leave for my personal style. but hey, i made a wisp for my mother in law a few years ago! Like beer? What styles most appeal to you? i love dark beers, porters and stouts, however, i have to limit my intake due to migraine triggers. Like booze? What kinds? yah! i like good vodka and margaritas! Like Wine? What kinds? i like some white wine occasionally (pinot grigio), but like beer, i have to limit my intake because migraines. Would you be interested in a set of hand-made hair falls? It's something I do for fun and I can make any length and do an array of colors! uh, yes. i have several sets of wool dreadlocks that i've made, so this is right up my alley. For those who watch certain movies every year for Halloween, what are those movies, whether horror or not? Any favorite horror movies that aren't necessarily on the annual-viewing list? How do you feel about fan-made merch for these movies? i like the nightmare before christmas. other than that, i really don't get into movies much in general, let alone halloween movies. 9/12/17 Here's a great local soapmaker I love--y'all see anything you would like? https://littleseedfarm.com/ oh yes, honestly everything looks lovely! What are your favorite/preferred Halloween/autumn icons/images? Any to specifically stay away from? skulls, bats, ravens, witchy stuff. i try to stay away from día de muertos images and icons since that's not my culture to borrow from (as beautiful as it is!). i kind of like glam-witch themed stuff. Do you eat candy, and if so would Halloween candy be welcome? Specialty candy from local or unusual sources? Chocolate? oh yes. for sure. and i LOVE locally sourced stuff! note: due to it being a big migraine trigger, i can only have a limited amount of chocolate, but i still like it. Do you want Fidget spinners, desk toys, or other frivolous things that you look at and decide you don't need enough to spend $ on but would make you happy to have? no - unfortunately my team was recently moved to an open floor plan with very, very limited desk space, so i don't really have room on my desk for anything frivolous anymore. i have to utilize every square inch wisely already! Any zentangle lovers, people who would like to try it, or would you want a piece of someone else's zentangle art? i have never done it, but it looks like it could be fun! Any love of hair toys, clips, ribbons, fascinators, mini hats, etc? yah, sure! i don't wear them often, but they're fun accessories for special occasions! What local goodies may be of interest? Local Honey, jams,candy? yes, yes and yes. i would love anything specific to a witch's local area! Are you interested in any prescription services like serial magazines, Birch box, ipsy? i'm kind of weird and picky about makeup, so probably not that. i did graze for a while and enjoyed that though! Would you like funky Halloweenie costume makeup like Gothic eyelashes, nail effects, black lipstick, etc.? i have so little patience for makeup anymore, and my nails don't take paint or wraps or stickers very well, so i'll have to pass on this. How do you like to listen to music? CD, 8 track tape, mix tape, Pandora or Spotify, I-tunes? podcasts on my phone. for purchased music, i typically use itunes or amazon music. Do you prefer reading on Kindle or actual book? What kind of books do you like? Would you like to be surprised with a scary, classic, horror book? i'm equally ok with either kindle or physical book. audio books are best for me though, since my commute time is pretty much the only time i ever get alone. i'm not into scary or horror books - i typically like epic fantasy and sci fi. my good reads link is in the stalking spreadsheet, and i believe i listed my favorite authors somewhere below. Candles, Incense, or wax tarts? Do you have favorite brands or Weenies scents for the home? Would you like to receive a wax tarts burner, incense burner, essential oils diffuser, or Halloweenie themed candle holders? yes, yes and yes. wax tarts get the most use in my house, but i do use all 3. i have 2 wax tart burners already (one candle and one plug in), so i'm set there. i would love a diffuser or halloween themed candle holder! Witchee: are you interested in crafting materials? yes! i am always happy to get yarn, but i will also use stickers, washi tape, fun scrapbooking paper, etc. 9/11/17 Do you want wax melts? definitely! i typically like foody/sweet/musk scents on my body, but i enjoy more neutral, herbal scents for wax melts! How do you feel about nail wraps? unfortunately they're a no-go for me. my nails are weirdly shaped, so wraps tend to peel off right away...and i'm a perfectionist, which is a really bad combination when it comes to nail wraps, lol. Please provide wishes from the last two updates? little photojournalist snowball fight valuable, powerful, deserving the goddess of mischief If you were to receive something hand knit, what type of item would you like? hat, cowl, handwarmers, etc. and what color(s)? i would love a black slouchy beanie. it's one of those things that i always think "oh, i'll knit one for myself when i have time" and then i never have time. If you could be ANY character from a film, TV show or book, who would it be and why? captain janeway from star trek voyager, because she was an amazing leader and captain. or maybe daenerys targaryen. because she's a badass in pretty much every way. If you could hop into a time machine and travel anywhere/anytime, where would it be and why? i would travel into a future that hopefully looks like star trek? i'm not sure it would exist (especially given humanity's current trajectory), but i so want it to. If you could invite 3 famous people to a BPAL meet and sniff, who would invite? ani difranco, natalie portman and patrick stewart Do you like and/or want anything from Elements and Artifacts? You can be vague like "yes" or "no" or name specific past pieces you coveted or current ones you love, whatever works best. oh yes! i love her stuff and have a few of her items in my etsy wishlist. Would you like something hand sewn by your Witch? A dress, shirt, skirt, infinity scarf, something else? sure! something like a scarf would probably be safest, but i'm open to whatever! Anyone want any kind of costuming accessories or makeup or odds and ends? not particularly at this point. i'm really picky and weird about makeup. 9/10/17 Are there any hobbies or crafts you've been thinking of trying, but haven't had the chance yet? i'd love to get into welding or woodworking, but i honestly don't have time. even just finding time to knit and read is hard enough with a 2 year old running around. =/ Would you want to receive a custom spell kit or magical tea? If so, what purpose would you want it to be for? oh yes! finding/rediscovering myself, rekindling my sex drive, being a more effective communicator, strengthening my relationship with my hubby and/or helping my kid sleep through the night (these sleep regressions are brutal!) Do you like poetry? some, yes. i recently bought milk and honey by rupi kaur and i absolutely love it. so that style, i like. and i'm an ani difranco fan, so i have her book of poetry, which (disappointingly) only has a few poems which aren't also songs/spoken word tracks of hers. Anyone like handmade critters, stuffed animals, or custom repaints? no thank you - toddler would be upset if he couldn't play with them and if he could play with them, he'd destroy them. Would you enjoy any designer/specialty yarn for your own craftyness? oh definitely! i love bright colors and jewel tones. i'm a huge fan of malabrigo. Would anyone like a donation made in their name to a cause or charity? for sure! black lives matter the southern poverty law center or the ACLU. 9/9/17 Would you be interested in things from Future Primitive? (http://futureprimitivesoap.co.uk/) oh yes! this is glorious! i don't even know where to start, it all looks so amazing! Are there any UK things you'd like to get? i'm sure there are things, but i don't know what. sweets from other countries are always welcome! Are you into podcasts? If so, what are your favorites? Would you like any merch related to any of them? i love several music podcasts. opulent temple, the melodic sessions by prototype202, deeper shades of house. i also have enjoyed hardcore history and i've just recently got into radical candor for my job. i think any of them really do merch, so i'll pass. Would you like something from Nui Cobalt Designs (https://nuicobaltdesigns.com/)? oooh, their candles are awesome! chill, energy, grounding, health, the diplomat (omg this looks incredible!). Or maybe some of Christina's lovely Halloween candles at Sihaya & Co. (https://www.sihayaan...lection-candles)? all 3 of these sound fantastic. ILNP? Who would love one of their awesome holos like MEGA or one of their amazing chromes? http://www.ilnp.com/ oh i totally love this, BUT i have the shittiest nails in existence. i've never successfully been able to keep nail polish on them for more than about 18 hours without a set of acrylics on, and since those ruin my nails real bad, i just don't do nail polish. these are gorgeous though! 9/8/17 Do you enjoy stationery? I'm thinking cute/quality notebooks, washi tape, stickers, fun pens etc. yes! definitely! i can use all these things at work for taking notes. Are you interested in anything from Cocoa Pink? Or Haus of Gloi (note: HoG has only released half of their autumn/Halloween stuff because it's been too warm in Portland for them to make whipped soaps, so there will be more in probably a week or two, and there will likely be more scents as well as products at that time)? - ALL THINGS COCOA PINK. black marshmallow is my favorite. body scrubs and any of their lotions/body butters are beloved. fear of ghosts, snow flurries and warm mittens look amazing, too. - the foody house of gloi things look lovely! Would you be interested in a Halloween wreath? yes, definitely! Have you seen this: https://www.bustle.c...llection-80733? (Lush Halloween collection.) And what would you like? i've seen it now. the following look lovely: bewitched, hedgewitch, lord of misrule, any of the pumpkin stuff and the goth fairy bar. 9/7/17 Are you interested in anything from the Moonalisa Halloween update? - i've never tried anything of theirs. hocus pocus sounds nice, and their pillar candles are gorgeous! What are your coffee and/or tea preferences? - Coffee: whole beans or ground? - either/both. i make french press and cold brew both, so i would use either. - Flavor and roast preferences? - i don't like suuuuper light roasts, but i'm otherwise open to all kinds of things. - Tea: black, green, herbal, flavors? - i prefer herbals. i can only really have caffeine in the morning, and then i prefer coffee, so i like herbal/relaxing teas in the evening. - Loose leaf or tea bags? - either/or. i have a tea ball, so i could use loose at home. - Anything specific you don't like? - i don't really like stevia leaf, which is used to sweeten a lot of teas. - Are you in need of any gadgetry? - nope! i have ALL THE THINGS for brewing! 9/6/17 How would you feel about receiving a hand-painted container for your bpal and/or other treasures? - this was my question, i have several boxes i've painted myself, so i'm good on big boxes. i wouldn't mind something for imps though! - would you want a big wood box (~50 bottles), a small wood box (~20 bottles) or a tin for carrying imps around? - see above Who is into K-Beauty (Korean beauty products like sheet masks) - i honestly have no idea! - What are your faves if you are? - n/a - If you aren't would you like to try something? - sure! What are some NEW things you've gotten interested in this year? Could be anything, from a new hobby, new genre of book, new healthy way of living, new fav brand of whatever... - i've gotten into witchcraft/paganism. i've been atheist/agnostic since graduating from HS (i was raised supercatholic) and have been into buddhism and some hinduism through yoga. i see this new budding interest as another step down that path. i've created a little altar and have started doing some very newbie level work (charging moon water, etc.). - i've also been recently motivated to do some visual art projects for burning man. i've been to burning man before and done some interactive type projects, but this is the first time i've (ever?) felt motivated to make something physical/visual. we'll see how it goes! 9/5/17 What are your feelings about Scooby Doo? meh. How do you feel about indie makeup (read: loose eyeshadow, blush, highlighter)? my daily makeup routine is brow brush, mascara, blush and burts bees balm. so i probably wouldn't have any use for eyeshadow or highlighter. I drink this stuff almost everyday would anyone else be interested in trying it out? https://www.criobru.com/ i mean...i'd try it. i'm highly addicted to my morning cup of coffee (and the caffeine that comes with it) but i'm open to new stuff! 9/4/17 Would you like one of the Halloween Teeturtle shirts? https://www.teeturtl...alloween?page=1 they're cute, but i rarely wear t-shirts, so i'd pass on one of these. Adding 13 day questions here too: Are you okay with homemade food? yep! If you are okay with decorations, do you have a preference to table-top, wall hanging or window decorations? i'm good with all. i'd prefer not super breakable though, because toddler. How do you feel about stationary and/or papercrafting supplies? i'm good with them! i use nice notebooks and pens at work for taking notes. i have done papercrafting in the past (cards, scrapbooks, wedding invitations, etc.) and probably will again someday once toddler is a little less destructive. How do you feel about kitschy/silly Halloween jewelry? i'm pretty picky about jewelry and really only want high quality stuff that i can wear for a long time - not necessarily expensive, but not typically kitschy or silly either. so i'll pass! Would you like a Halloween wreath? sure! What rares are you dying to try??? i don't have a whole lot that i'm really dying to try. i've been very lucky with fairies and catching new/limited releases early enough to get in on them. i guess silkybat would be nice to try! Comic books: erm, i really enjoyed sandman, but that's pretty much the only graphic novel i've ever read. i've wanted to check out v for vendetta but have never read it. i tried to read watchmen and i wanted to like it, but the level of violence really really bothered me, so i had to give it away. Disney? sure! If so, any favorite characters? merida. <3 And to be more specific about Disney: How do you feel about Beauty and the beast? it's cool. not my favorite by any means. And what about Harry Potter related items? i love HP, but i'm not deep enough into the fandom that i'd rock any branded stuff. Pokemon? Any favorites? i played Go for a while and it eventually pissed me off so much i quit, so no, lol. Is there any thing, category, or brand from which you would absolutely NOT like to receive things (ie., you're overrun with candy corn, you don't do scents outside of BPAL, or if you ever see another Stephen King item, it will be too soon)? noise-making toys. ugh. What kinds of art/art medium do you most enjoy, or would you most like to receive, in the context of this swap? oh man, hard question. i'm a knitter, so i love handmade/handknit stuff. i also love home decor and artwork when it's thoughtfully selected and/or handmade. but i ALSO love homemade baked goods, treats and candies. so i have no idea! Bath & Body Works - love them or hate them? If the former, fave product types? i like vanilla bean noel ok. everything else i'm kind of "meh" on. Question! I'm in Japan, is there anything specific from here you would be interested in? i don't even know where i'd start answering this question. nothing crazy - maybe some fun japanese stickers and/or sweet stuff. Would you like to receive a scarve or hat? i'm a knitter myself, but i always appreciate knit items that i don't have to make myself! Question - If you said that you liked knitted things and possibly wrist warmers, what do you think about these colors? i love the purple/grey/black colorways! If you wanted a hat, what do you think about this? It's a really dark blackish burgundy: love scrunchie beanies! and the color looks good to me! Questionnaire copy/paste below (with some updates): Basic Info Birthday: 7/30/1981 Pets: 2 cats, lottie and gawain Children: 1 son, ethan (almost 2) Religious orientation: nontheist pagan buddhist yogi Favorite Holiday: halloween! Occupation/Major in school: IT project manager Living arrangement (by yourself, with roommates, etc): i live with my husband chris and our son Livejournal/Blog/Website: i'm _last_serenade_ on livejournal Organizations/Causes/Activities (Things you belong to or causes you believe in): black lives matter, immigrant support, ACLU, planned parenthood, universal healthcare, LGBTQ+, i'm basically a bleeding heart liberal/socialist. BPAL Favorite BPAL oils: black lace, monster bait: closet, cleric, elf, eat me, the coiled serpent, a peculiar spirit, snow glass apples, snake oil Favorite notes: black/aged patchouli, foodie vanilla/cake, tea, incense of all kinds. leather and tobacco are great in limited amounts or as accent notes. Favorite non-BPAL perfumes: black marshmallow by cocoa pink, dulce de leche by savor Least favorite notes: i struggle with florals. one or two floral notes in a blend tend to be ok, but floral heavy scents just don't work on me. i'm not a huge fan of vetiver either Least favorite non-BPAL perfumes: bestla was a heartbreaker for me, as was seven word story sloth (that's how i discovered i REALLY disliked vetiver) If Beth made a custom blend for you, wh

A big bud of moon hangs out of the twilight, Star-spiders spinning their thread Hang high suspended, withouten respite Watching us overhead. Come then under the trees, where the leaf-cloths Curtain us in so dark That here we’re safe from even the ermin-moth’s Flitting remark. Here in this swarthy, secret tent, Where black boughs flap the ground, You shall draw the thorn from my discontent, Surgeon me sound. This rare, rich night! For in here Under the yew-tree tent The darkness is loveliest where I could sear You like frankincense into scent. Here not even the stars can spy us, Not even the white moths write With their little pale signs on the wall, to try us And set us affright. Kiss but then the dust from off my lips, But draw the turgid pain From my breast to your bosom, eclipse My soul again. Waste me not, I beg you, waste Not the inner night: Taste, oh taste and let me taste The core of delight. - DH Lawrence The loveliest darkness, the core of delight: Moroccan black musk, white tea leaf, Indonesian black sandalwood, frankincense, honeycomb, jonquil, and clove. in the bottle: musk and clove, yet this somehow feels MUCH lighter than other scents with those notes. kind of odd. wet on my skin: baby powder. all baby powder. dry on my skin: no change, just baby powder. i had someone else confirm that it wasn't just my nose...damn my skin chemistry! i am so sad...based on the notes this should be amazing on me. perhaps it's the honey/clove combination?

An oil for making the impossible possible. Use in rituals for the attainment of dreams and for overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Created and charged on December 10, 2011 during the lunar eclipse. Twilight Alchemy Lab's Senelion Oil contains essential oils, absolutes, and CO2 extracts that are organically-grown and pesticide-free, and many of the oils' components are first distillations from small farms. This oil includes fossilized amber, armoise mugwort, white camphor, French white cognac, butter CO2 extract, organic lavender essential oil, bourbon geranium, champa flower absolute, honey absolute, Italian bergamot, and Iranian wild galbanum. this is the first TAL i ever smelled or used. talk about powerful. i was/am very new to the whole world of ritual, but i picked this up thinking it was a good place to start. people, this changed my life. i was working in a leadership role at a huge corporation. i would regularly bring this oil to work and use it before meetings in a quiet moment of meditation and setting intention. i started kicking ass at work. and i mean REALLY kicking ass. i felt like i was going places and making things happen. and yet, i found myself unhappy. i finally (after too many years!) started listening INSIDE to what i really wanted. i realized i didn't want to work in corporate america anymore. still using the oil regularly, i set a background intention of finding a new job that i love. i am now (less than 6 months later) working for an amazing, mission-driven, passionate non-profit that is SO MUCH more aligned with who i am as a person. everything feels better since i started here. i have stopped using senelion - for the time being - mostly because i feel like i achieved a plateau for now where i can learn A LOT about myself and do a lot of good in the world. that said, it's still sitting on my altar, just waiting. in case i ever need it again, i know it works. also: it smells wonderful. complex, warm and bright. a beautiful pick me up in addition to a powerful tool. beth and the TA labbies: thank you for making this oil. you've changed at least one life.

Sandalwood, plum, white mint, and agarwood. oh god. it is SO GOOD. this is SO GOOD. in the bottle: nondescript sandalwood with...something behind it. the oudh? it didn't smell exciting in the bottle. wet on my skin: MINT! with a backdrop of sandalwood. spicy and woodsy. dry on my skin: just delicious. spicy and sophisticated with just a hint of sweetness. what an unexpected and beautiful mix of scents. i foresee several bottles of this in my future.

wow, this - to me - smells EXACTLY like shining dimple of love (Vanilla orchid, vanilla absolute, and black tea leaf) from 2014 lupercalia. aka: DELICIOUS! sweet, deep, rich, vanilla-y tea. the tobacco adds a darker, more luxurious dimension than dimple, but i suspect that these will layer GLORIOUSLY! it definitely reads as anise in the bottle, but on my skin it warms and opens and becomes something truly magical. i'll definitely be snagging a few bottles before this goes away!

2012 version. this is so sweet and rich. it turns super thick, eggy french vanilla on the drydown for me, which is awesome. i also get the touch of coffee mentioned above when wet, but it disappears on the drydown. medium throw, and medium staying power. a generally awesome holiday choice for me. deliciously foody without being cake-y.

this frankincense is (to me) a dead ringer for the one in hope and fear set free. this blend is a bit quieter than hope and fear, but is just as lovely. it sits close to the skin, for me and the notes are well blended into one harmonious chord with the delightful frankincense as the base. completely gorgeous and i cannot wait to wear it for a yoga class.

when i smelled this in the bottle, it smelled too perfume-y. i was sure i wouldn't like it. i almost threw it in the swap pile. but i dabbed a bit on anyway, and i am SO GLAD i did. it just absolutely blossomed on my skin to something warm, sweet and very comforting. it's a little bit outside my normal "love" zone, which i'm attributing to the fougere, but i'm actually enjoying the slight changeup. the rest of the notes are right in line with what i usually go for, so it's been a lovely way to try something a little different. i have a suspicion that this will age AMAZINGLY and i kind of wish i had bought two bottles, as i'll definitely love the one i have!

Hinoki wood, ho wood, white clove, and suminagashi maple leaf. in the bottle: whoa UBERGREEN! it's like someone sliced a tiny branch of a tree open with a pocket knife and let the watery sap drip out. freshly cut grass! dandelion stems! green green green! wet on my skin: more green! it is being grounded a tiny bit by what i assume are the woods and there is a TINY bit of spice from the clove...but boy, this is mostly just bright, fresh green to me. dry on my skin: the clove is coming forward a bit now and the greenness of the maple leaf has subsided enough for me to start getting whiffs of a nice, well-rounded spicy, green woodsy scent. unfortunately my skin seems to be having a bit of a reaction to this. it is absolutely lovely, but i'm not sure i will keep it around due to my skin being sensitive to it.

i like green tree viper...sexy snake oil and cool mint. also snow, glass, apples...more mint. and a sudden invitation...plum and...mint. i guess i like mint for summer...

another vote for rogue. it's my go-to unisex scent, and my ex loves it so much he has his own bottle. maybe leather phoenix as well - IF you can find the leather-y version: matcha tea, wild frankincense, champaca, petitgrain, star anise, aged oudh, rose taifi, narcissus, Himalayan cedar, 11-year aged patchouli, and black leather accord. it's got some notes that sound floral, but in execution the versions i have smelled are very complex, sophisticated and decidedly unisex, leaning masculine, i'd say.

a sudden invitation (from last year's lupers) is light and spring-y on me - that said, i usually wear heavy, dark, musky or foody scents. the mint keeps things nice and light...however, it also has fantastic staying power - i can still smell it in my hair from yesterday.

i totally agree with you. the lab was willing to refund my bottles of hesiod's (i tearfully had to accept that they didn't have any more laying around) - but that doesn't change the swap scenario, especially if someone swaps or sells something to you without realizing the extent of the variation. it's a pretty serious risk - and i'm NOT a gambler...so i'm not sure where this leaves me for future purchases.

that's kind of where i'm at. after i was heartbroken by the bottles of hesiod's phoenix (which smelled nothing like my decants), i went online and found a bunch of scents with the same notes from different companies and bought a whole bunch of different things - i even purchased small sizes of single notes from some places that do that so i can fiddle around myself with blending. i love BPAL and the forums and i hate to even LOOK anywhere else, but i so badly want just 5 freaking ml of something that smells like that decant. for what it's worth, i found a very similar scent and am very happy with it. i'm just bummed that it's not bpal.

holy moly, has anyone tested a new (like recieved within the last week) bottle of hesiods phoenix?? I had a decant that I was obsessed with...it was perfect. so I ordered 3 bottles, which arrived on Friday. I let them rest a day then opened one up - I was heartbroken. instead of the sexy warm sweetness I got from my decant, the bottles (all three) smelled like sour chemicals and alcohol. it's not even recognizable as the same scent to me. I am so sad...I've had batch variations before but nothing to this degree. it doesn't even smell like a bpal - it smells *bad* - like spoiled. this was supposed to be my new HG. eta: i decanted one of the bottles into vials to do some further investigation - the oil is the same color as what's in my decant, but the oil from the bottles is cloudy and full of a really fine sediment. and when i smell them side-by-side, it's like they're not even remotely related. it's almost like one of the components in the bottles went totally bad. ugh.

wow, i'm reviewing this because i finally got my bottles. i initially had a decant from FragranceLush and i BLAZED through it - it was so amazing and gorgeous and perfect for everyday but still sexy...all the notes played together perfectly and it lasted forever. i figured it was my new HG scent. so i ordered three bottles and let them rest overnight. none of them smell anything like the description or the decant that i have. they smell like alcohol and chemicals. i put some on thinking that maybe it would blossom on my skin...no. nothing. just powder and chemicals. i'm so sad. smelling the bottles next to the decant - they smell NOTHING alike. i'll give them a week to calm down from their traveling and see if they open up at all...maybe open one up to let it "age" a bit (i've had ok luck doing that with snake oil and cleric). but overall, i am pretty shocked - i've never smelled batch variation to this degree. eta: i decanted one of my bottles into vials and compared them side-by-side with my original decant. the oil from the bottles is a similar color, but clouded and heavy with sediment. i did another skin test and the chemical powder smell persists. i am absolutely heartbroken. testing the bottle oil and decant oil side-by-side on my skin is just depressing. what happened to that beautiful scent from my decant that everyone is talking about above?