mermaidsdream

Patchouli, aquilaria aguillocha, and Manuka honey. I received my bottle yesterday (9 Oct 2013), and could NOT stop sniffing. I suspect it may take a day or two to properly settle, as in the bottle it's straight up patchouli. Oodles and oodles of patchouli, lots of woodsy, resiny goodness. Despite knowing better, I opted to wear it today. Initial impression, given that the patchouli is so strong, is that a little bit goes a LONG way. I was right. For those of you used to using liberal amounts of bath oil, be very conservative with the perfume oil. Applied, wet: yup. Straight up patchouli. I even rolled the bottle a few times before using a clean toothpick to dip into the bottle and apply. Normally, I'll do a couple of dips with a clean toothpick to apply. Not with Tricksy! One dip is all it needs, and then you're wishing you were running through the woods, in silvery moonlight, branches brushing by your fur, wind in your face, chasing after Sylvia. Drying: The honey starts to peek out of the patchouli, almost as a base. It's there, but there's so much resiny goodness the honey really only sweetens the woodsy smell by a tad. But it's enough. Overall? Patchouli lovers will LOVE this. This is a smilar patchouli to #occupywallstreet, but not as "dirty hippy" -- more feral, more ferocious. I've only had it on a couple of hours - a tiny dip applied to both wrists & my neck - but I've a good feeling it'll stay with me most of the day. So far, no problem with allergies, which happens from time to time with patchouli (I'm looking at you, IBT!). Now, off to chase a deer through the forest! ETA: several hours later, most of the patchouli has dissipated, and I'm getting just a hint of sweet, floral honey. Delicious, glorious honey. I no longer want to chase deer through the forest - I want to lick my arm. Nom!

FEED ME AND FILL ME WITH PLEASURE For my heart too springs up at the pressure, Mine eyelids too moisten and burn; Ah, feed me and fill me with pleasure, Ere pain come in turn. Black patchouli, honey, and thick vanilla amber. Oh gosh, first review! No pressure here! I received this in the mail today, along with a plethora of other bottles, and had to test it immediately. Out of the bottle it's hard to pick up notes. It's been a little chilly, and the bottle was definitely *cold*, so I couldn't pick out any notes. I'll admit I was a little afraid: most of this year's Lupers (my first Lupercalia) have been a miss for me, so I took a chance ordering a bottle of this unsniffed. I'm so glad I did. Applied & drying it's still very light. I get something that reminds me vaguely of the Antikythera Mechanism, and instantly think "tobacco" ... except I know there's no tobacco in this. Looking over the scent notes, I suspect it's the vanilla amber / black vanilla. After an hour or so, I can't stop sniffing my wrist. It's a mix of woodsy, earthy resin with the sweet of the vanilla. The vanilla definitely warms up, perhaps sweetened by the honey. It's a very sexy, yet very soothing scent. I'm definitely going to have to get at least a second bottle. ETA: Seriously, if this wrist-sniffing keeps up, I'm going to have to have my wrist surgically removed from my nostrils.

Fear of Beards Definitely bad news if you live in Silverlake, Williamsburg, or the Mission. A tangle of patchouli, upcycled leather, artisanal honey, and a couple of oils youve probably never heard of. First on this one? That's new! In bottle: It's a lot of patchouli, very woodsy. Applied, Wet: Very, very woodsy and almost all patchouli. I'm not getting much of the honey, but the leather is underneath trying to cut through the patch. It's almost a little tangy. It's not unpleasant, but it's not me. This is definitely a more masculine scent, and I'll be honest, I bought it to try & be somewhat ironic - I work at a company filled with men & their hipster beards. I would *love* to smell it on one, in particular ... Editing to add: Aaah ... there's the honey. It's finally come out of hiding, tempering everything else blending quite nicely. The drydown is really quite wonderful.

I didn't get much from sniffing the bottle. Applied, it initially smells like nail polish remover. Then it constantly morphs with something astringent, something floral, and I'm so very glad I didn't wear this to work because ugh. Definitely not a favourite, and not something I'd be keeping.

I almost passed on this, after the sniff test, but let it sit for a couple of months. I kept coming back to it, unsure, and today decided to give it a shot. In the bottle, it's almost a little too sharp. Applied, it goes turns into this soft scent that's reminiscent of snow, with a hint of vanilla undertone. As it dries, I get a bit more of the apricot, but it still stays soft, and sweet. It's the perfect winter comfort scent.

In the bottle: Deep and complex, almost plum/musk-like. Applied: still a bit of the musk, but it fades quickly. There is a hint of resin (the amber), but it gets overwhelmed by the Dragon's Blood ... Dry-down: I'd forgotten how much Dragon's Blood Resin smells like roses. And that's pretty much all I got. All day. On the plus side, unlike rose scents, it doesn't turn to baby powder on me, but it overwhelmed everything else in there :\ I do suspect this one will age well, but with the Dragon's Blood being the predominant note in this on me, I'm likely not keeping this bottle.

Cinnamon & cardamom for me can cause lovely red welts (seriously, I put on Spanked Revisited, and my arms are ridiculously red for the next hour or so), but I haven't had anything that's produced hives (yet). I do know that rose, carnation, and some forms of patchouli can cause nasal allergies to kick in, and violet is apparently a migraine-trigger for me, but I only discovered that by trying out different scents that contained them.

Oooh ... that's probably closer than what I'd found, but I was looking at my own collection and came up with: Mme. Moriarty, Red Phoenix, Pillar of Flame, and Snake Charmer (mostly looking for the plum note. Shares some notes but not all: Purple Spotted Swallowtail Purple Phoenix Red Phoenix Phoenix at Dawn Penumbra Hellion Fire Pig Lunar Eclipse Queen of Spades Red Phoenix was on the list I found (and I have it in my collection, so it's easier for her to try it out). I'll check out the others, too.

Alright folks .... I'm looking for something similar to Montale Dark Purple for a friend of mine, and I swear the scent notes read just like a BPAL LE I have (but I'm at work and can't go through my spreadsheet right now). Scent Notes for Dark Purple, from Fragrantica.com Top: greedy plum, fresh orange Heart: rose petals, geranium bourbon, patchouli, red fruit cocktail Base: grey amber, teak wood, white musk I swear this reads like one of the Lupers ....

First & Foremost: LINKS! I figured I'd put these up top, to make them easier to find. Amazon.com Etsy.com (anything that's not in the "Items I Love" folder) BPAL ThinkGeek Goodreads (may or may not work - these are books I already own) Pinterest Tumblr Basic Info Birthday: 9 April (5 days after SW ends!) Pets: 1 cat Children: A mopey teenager Religious orientation: Agnostic Favorite Holiday: Halloween Occupation/Major in school: Order support - I sit at a computer and track down lost packages Living arrangement (by yourself, with roommates, etc): by myself - daughter lives w/her dad, but she's also 18, so ... Oh, and 1 12-year-old cat who thinks she's (a) a dog and ( still a kitten Livejournal/Blog/Website: (see the above links section) Organizations/Causes/Activities (Things you belong to or causes you believe in): BPAL Favorite BPAL oils: Snake Oil, Spanked revisited, Bright Red Dildo, Sin, Vixen Favorite notes: red musk, champaca, some patchoulis, leather, resiny scents Favorite non-BPAL perfumes: I've had some fairly good luck with Nocturne Alchemy, but that's about it Least favorite notes: rose, carnation, violet, banana, aquatics, coconut Least favorite non-BPAL perfumes: No luck with House of Gloi or Moonalisa If Beth made a custom blend for you, what would the notes be, and what would you want the label art to look like? So I'm taking this from the 2015 answer, and then realized that Bright Red Dildo is pretty much it! : I never know how to answer this question. Some red musk, maybe a little champaca, honey, vanilla Lifestyle Style/home decoration style: simple, clean(ish ... okay, I really need to vacuum, and most things are covered in more cat hair than I will ever be able to get rid of) Favorite decorating colors: black, white, jewel tones Things you collect: Funko pop dolls, graphic novels, BPAL Favorite music: a little of everything. If I had to stick to 1 genre, it'd be classic rock, but I'm really digging on the Hamilton soundtrack right now (and I'm not a huge R&B or Rap fan) Least favorite music: rap, religious, twangy-country Vegetarian/Vegan?: (Please be as specific as possible to reduce confusion!) Neither! Other food restrictions: slightly allergic to banana, aversion to coconut, beans & black licorice Favorite flavors: dark chocolate, caramel, somewhat salty, vanilla Favorite foods/drinks: sushi, pizza, tim tams Favorite authors/genres: Neil Gaiman, Sarah Douglass, Jacqueline Carey, science fiction, fantasy, historical fantasy Least favorite authors/genres: Stephanie Meyer, Cassandra Clare, Laurell K Hamilton, Charlaine Harris Books/authors you'd like to read, but haven't yet: See my Amazon Wish list above How do you feel about receiving gently used books as gifts? Sounds good to me! Favorite stores (including clothing stores): target, walmart (evil, I know), local comic shops, hot topic (for Pop dolls) Favorite online stores (including B&B stores): paintbox soapworks, bpal, nocture alchemy, bptp, Elements & Artifacts Magazines you subscribe to: none Magazines you like, but don't subscribe to: none Favorite movies: way too long to list - favourite movie of all time is The Court Jester, Harvey, The Artist, Let the Right one In (the Danish version), The Conjuring, Marvel movies (except for the Hulk movies), some of the DC movies Favorite TV show(s): NCIS, Arrow, Flash, Doctor Who, Sherlock, Agent Carter, Game of Thrones, Agents of Shield, Hobbies/crafts done: photography, jewelry making, counted cross stitch Clothing & Jewelry Hair type: shorter, thin Skin Type: break-out prone ... everywhere. I have to avoid bath oils, bath bombs & most bath salts because I break out. Allergies (specifically B&B related): see above - also, some cinnamons & cardamom also cause me to break out/burn like crazy Other things to avoid: Tub, shower or both? both Favorite bath & beauty products: TGI Catwalk's Oatmeal & Honey shampoo, Paintbox Soapworks Clean Slate soap. Clothing Style/Fave garments: pjs & sweat pants! I have no style Favorite clothing colors/colors to wear: dark jewel tones - blues, greens, reds - black Type(s) of jewelry worn: earrings, pendants, necklaces Ring/wrist/collar size: no rings, and I haven't worn bracelets in a while; 15"+ necklaces Jewelry - gold or silver? silver Do you have any allergies to metal? yellow gold Favorite gemstones: labradorite, and precious stones too expensive to list *lol* Sock/Shoe Size: 8 - keep in mind: I have thick calves, so I have trouble with knee-high socks not fitting quite right Random Questions: - On a scale of 1-5, how organized are you? 4 - Where, outside of the U.S. would you love to visit? (if you're international, this can be anywhere) ANYWHERE. I never go anywhere. -Where, inside of the U.S. would you love to visit? see above! -Favorite City in the US/World? New Orleans - Do people tell you that you act older, younger, or your age? at this point? my age. -If I gave you a toy gun with flashing lights, would you hide and start shooting people from around corners OR would you thank me on the IGI thread and then quietly donate it (a niece, Oxfam, Goodwill, wherever)? (there are no wrong answers for this, so don't be afraid to answer honestly) I probably wouldn't use it. I'd thank you, but then donate it. - What animal do you feel like the most? right now? A sloth - Your favorite feature about yourself: I don't have one these days - Do you live in a neighborhood or in the middle of nowhere? neighbourhood - condo complex -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. Wandcaps. I can always use more wandcaps - How do you feel about boi witches? I'm fine with them - Do you like garage sales (boot sales)? sure, but I never seem to find the great deals everyone else does - I like to slather my food in : cheese - State fairs or carnivals? Both - You throw caution to the wind and runaway to join a traveling circus. What job would you want ( a main performer, a side show, a behind the scenes spot, etc) and why? I'd be the person pulling the strings from behind the stage - not so much a main performer, but I'd likely keep things running. It's just who I am. - What mythical or fantastic race of creatures (dragons, unicorns, griffins, elves, dwarves, faeries, etc.) do you most identify with? I can never pick just one! - Imagine that you're given a shoebox-sized time capsule, and you are asked to put any number of items in the box that symbolize who you are. The items can be may be anything you can imagine, and money is no object, but they must fit within the box. What do you choose? - Do you need storage boxes/bottles/containers? Decorated or Plain? I'm starting to run out of space in my BPAL box, so I could probably use another one. Either decorate or plain is fine with me. - The world has given you the day off. You hear that, no chores, responsibilities, or budget you have to follow. What would you do in those 24 hours? Disneyworld! - Do you like steampunk & if so what kind of steampunk item would you most like to receive? I like the aesthetic of steampunk, but I don't own anything that's steampunk-ish, so I don't really know what I'd like to receive. - Do you have an etsy shop? Not anymore. I only ever sold like 2 things, so ... - Would you like to receive baked goods, if so what kind? I'll pass. I don't even eat the baked goods I make for myself, these days - What is something totally random (yes, that thing that just popped into your head) that hasn't been covered by any previous questions? Questions from 25 Feb 2016: Colouring? So confession time. I coloured *a lot* when I was in college (far more years ago than I want to consider), for the same reason it's become more visible now: stress relief. That said, I don't do it so much anymore these days. No books, no crayons. Too many other things to do! Wishlists? Check out my signature - there's a Switch Witch (and many other) blog posts that should help you out. And I promise, I will update with the answers that were blank. I kinda sneaked in at the last minute. Lush? There are a few shampoos I like, but everything pretty much smells the same to me. Let me see ... Big Shampoo. I'd like to try out the Fairly Traded Honey shampoo, and specifically from the UK? Jersey Bounce (holy heck, why do we not have this in the US?) Crochet? Sure! Hats & scarves, although it's too warm to wear anything Allergies? I listed them in my questionnaire, but I don't think I listed this one: I'm allergic to cigarette smoke. Comics/Graphic Novels? I wish I could show you my bookshelf of "to read" books, because it's mostly graphic novels I think I have a link to my Goodreads bookshelves, so check that out to see what I already have, and I have a separate list on Amazon just for graphic novels. Nail Polish? I'm tempted to buy the ... um ... Bright Red Dildo polish from BPTP, but that's the only one I've considered of late; I really don't do anything with my nails, so polish really wouldn't get used. Crafty? I take pictures, and I occasionally make jewelry - simple jewelry, but still jewelry. BPTP Products? Perfume oils, hair gloss & soap. I don't use Atmos & I can't use the bath oils (skin allergy - I break out) Nail Wraps: I won't use them, sorry. Teas/Spices/Spice Rubs/Specialty Ingredients from a local tea & spice shop? I'm good here, thank you. I'm swimming in tea & spices! Questions from 26 February 2016 Speaking of spices - where's your spicy/heat threshold? (scale of 1 - 10 - 1 being nothing more than black pepper, 10 being ghost pepper+): I'd say maybe 3-4, but it really depends on the spice. Preferred book format? Physical, PDF, Kindle, etc? For me, it depends on the kind of book. For graphic novels, I want physical books. For everything else, Kindle Questions from 27 February 2016 Would you be interested in any handmade critters? Sure! I adore hand-made beasties (crocheted, knitted, sewn together fabric, etc), and have no preference as to what kind of beastie. It could be a bat, an octopus, a dragon ... anything is wonderful Since this is the Spring Fools' round, is there anything that goes with the theme of April Fool's Day or spring that might be fun to add to your package? Sure (I say that a lot)! Have fun with it! No glitter or confetti, though - my cat gets into *everything* and tries to eat everything. Pet owners - would you like any kind of toy or supply for your pet? My cat loves catnip. She's still going nuts over the catnip baggies I received during the 12-days-of-Christmas swap! Geek paraphernalia! Almost everyone here has SOME sort of geek-love, whether it is Harry potter, Horror movies, graphic novels, science, etc. So would you be interested in any kind of items related to your geek-ish interests? Sounds good to me! Any yarn, plastic, metal, or fabric sensitivities? None that I'm aware ... Would you like pretty stationery/note cards, etc, for writing snail mail? I'm always looking for some inexpensive blank cards to use as "Thank You" cards when sending swap & sales packages, but otherwise, they wouldn't really get used. If you could have any BPALs right now (GC, LE, HTF) what would they be? Give examples of at least a few of each category: From my Wishlist, these are the ones I'd love bottles of: GC: Fenris Wolf, Anteros, Aunt Caroline's Joy Mojo, Lust LE: Ice (Kabuki), Krampus (2014 Yules) HTF: Pallas Athene, Egyptian Amber SN, Boomslang (original), Black Lace (non Apple), Orange Blossom SN, Red Musk SN Any places you would like gift cards from? Starbucks, PB Soapworks, BPAL/BPTP, Target Do you wear make-up? Any brands you like? Color preferences? I don't wear makeup at all. Junk food and candy? Dark chocolate, salted caramels, and a fondness for Cherry/Strawberry/Watermelon Blow Pops Witchee, regarding your fave TV shows, would you be interested in the associated DVDs? Fan books? Not so much with Fan Books, and I own DVDs for most of the shows I watch (except Agent Carter ... that's still on my Amazon Wishlist). Questions from 28 Feb 2016 Do you need any items for your kitchen (linens, gadgets, cooking supplies, etc.)? I can never think of anything to answer this; I'm sure there are, but I can't think of anything right now. Gardens/plants: I am dreaming of spring, dear witch: Do you like plants? Do you have any? Indoor potted plants? A balcony bed? A yard? Do you want/need anything? I love plants, and I love to garden. Unfortunately, I don't have a balcony or patio, and my cat eats everything. Last time I tried to grow grass for my cat to eat, I ended up with a ton of bugs. Questions from 29 Feb 2016 If I were to make you something based on one or more interests mentioned in your Q'aire/blog, would you prefer something you could wear, something that hangs on a wall, or something that sits on a shelf (or couch or wherever) ? Yes, to all of the questions. Are you in need of BPAL storage? More BPTP storage - my Hairgloss box is full. Questions from 1 March 2016 Hi, witchee! Do you like candles? Incense? Wax melts? Candles yes. Incense so-so. Not so much melts. BAGS! Do you like/want/need any kind of bags? Purses (big, small, medium), storage type bags, totes, re-usable grocery bags, make up or craft supply bags . . . anything? And if so, please give as much info as possible about type, color, use, fabric, etc I can't think of anything off the top of my head, but I always seem to be looking for more bags - cross-body style purses, occasional re-usable grocery bags w/out store logos across them I make handmade journals/albums/smashbooks/junk journals. Would you be interested in anything like that? I wish. I love them, but they never get used Questions from 2 March 2016 What style of bag from here (if any) would you like? You can easily narrow down the choices on the side menu - but I only want to know the style, not the pattern! http://eu.baba-store...bags-and-purses Oh my goodness, these are gorgeous. I kind of like the small messenger bags. If you like Harry Potter stuff, what house do you belong in? If you like Game of Thrones, what family? Old Pottermore: Ravenclaw. New Pottermore: Gryffindor. Game of Thrones? That's a tough one. I'm not sure I'd belong to any house. What's your favorite animal/totem? Would you be interested in a small figurine of said animal from this etsy user? I have a difficult time narrowing things down to just 1! I love dolphins, foxes, birds of prey, dragons, owls, wolves ... Anything exciting to you in PBSW's Spring Collection? Lemony Biscuit is always a favourite - soaps or sugar scrub. I'd love to try Potting Shed Questions from 3 March 2016 Witchee, are you interested in this kind of music (it's one of my favorites)? Mm ... not really my thing. Oh dead Witchee, how do you feel about Sakura Matsuri? Do you like Green Tea and Sakura flavored desserts/treats? Decorations or jewelry with a cherry blossom theme? Sure! Hey, witchee! If I were to send you a garment, what size would I send? That's a difficult one, since sizes vary so much. Even sizes I think fit, don't Questions from 4 March 2016 It's Hottie Friday, witches and witchees! Name a famous crush or five Ooooh ... Chris Evans, Shemar Moore, Jason Mamoa ... Also - what are the last 5 songs that appeared on your random or shuffle music list Not so much random - It's the Hamilton soundtrack! But if I put it on Random, I get: The Look (Roxette), Moves Like Jagger (Maroon 5), Heavy is the Head (Zac Brown Band w/Chris Cornell), Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen), Feel Again (One Republic). My library also includes some Lorena McKennitt, Lindsey Stirling, Gershwin, and a variety of other things. Questions from 5 March 2016 No questions for today Questions from 6 March 2016 No questions for today Questions from 7 March 2016 Oh Witchee, have you seen the kimono tops that are all the rage right now? Would you like one? I will sew you one if you do, just tell me if you're a fringe or lace edge or plain edge type of person- I have your color picks from your questionnaire, unless you'd like it in something different than those? Plain edge I sometimes like to make cute little fantasy miniature sculpture, like fairy doors, or miniature garden gnomes for potted plants, or I've even made a couple of tiny smaug's based on this cartoon. If you were my witchee, how would you feel about receiving some tiny fantasy art for your home? Any preference between a fairy door, or a garden gnome, a tiny fairy box, or something like smaug? The Fairy box is beautiful, and Smaug is adorable If you won a gift certificate for $100 (Or similar amount in your country) that could be used ANYWHERE what would you get? BPAL, always Amazon & iTunes also work well. Something that you look forward to each spring, or that when you see it (hear it/smell it/taste it, etc) you think "Yes! Spring is here!" or something along those lines Not really sure - I live in Texas, and we don't really get "Spring" here, so much as we get "hotter" Questions from 8 March 2016 Witchee, how do you feel about this type of garment? What color & size would you like? (keep in-mind it does say it runs one size big!) Not really my thing Are there any mythical creatures that you're really into and that you would enjoy gifts relating to? The Phoenix, dragons, faeries, um ... I know there are others. Questions from 10 March 2016 Do you have a green thumb, my Witchee? Would you be interested in bulbs, seeds or other gardening paraphernalia? Do you have a favorite flower? I wouldn't have anywhere to plant them, Witch I'm sorry.

It's very chocolaty in the bottle, with something sweet underneath. Unfortunately, once applied it turns into something sickly-sweet-floral that I amp like *crazy* within seconds of application, losing any hint of the chocolate. I can't wear this.

WISHLISTS! I figured I'd put these up top, to make them easier to find. Amazon.com Etsy.com (anything that's not in the "Items I Love" folder) BPAL ThinkGeek Basic Info Birthday: 9 April Pets: 1 Cat Religious orientation: Agnostic Favorite Holiday: Halloween Living arrangement (by yourself, with roommates, etc): Just me & my cat Livejournal/Blog/Website: mermaidsdream.tumblr.com BPAL Favorite BPAL oils: Vixen, Sin, Spanked Revisited, Mircalla Favorite notes: Red Musk, champaca, some patchouli, some woods, resiny-scents Favorite non-BPAL perfumes: Nocturne Alchemy Least favorite notes: coconut, rose, carnation, violet, aquatics If Beth made a custom blend for you, what would the notes be, and what would you want the label art to look like? I never know how to answer this question. Some red musk, maybe a little champaca, honey, vanilla Lifestyle Style/home decoration style: casual Favorite decorating colors: blacks & whites, rich, deep, jewel-tone reds, blues. Things you collect: Funko Pop! dolls, BPAL Favorite music: a little bit of everything, but if I had to peg myself to 1 genre, it'd probably be classic rock Least favorite music: religious, twangy-country, Rap Vegetarian/Vegan?: (Please be as specific as possible to reduce confusion!) Nope Other food restrictions: I can't do bananas (allergic) Favorite flavors: dark chocolate, salted caramel, vanilla Favorite foods/drinks: milk duds, timtams, water Favorite authors/genres: Neil Gaiman, Sara Douglass, Jacqueline Carey - science fiction & fantasy, historical fantasy Least favorite authors/genres: Charlaine Harris, Cassandra Clare, Stephanie Meyer, Laurel K Hamilton How do you feel about receiving gently used books as gifts? perfect! Favorite stores (including clothing stores): Starbucks, Target, Hot Topic (hello, Pop! dolls) Favorite online stores (including B&B stores): Hot Topic, Paintbox Soapworks, Elements & Artifacts, BPAL/BPTP, Favorite movies: The Court Jester, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, LA Story, Stardust, The Princess Bride, Big Fish Favorite TV show(s): Agents of SHIELD, Agent Carter, Game of Thrones, Penny Dreadful, Rizzoli & Isles Hobbies/crafts done: photography, baking, jewelry making Clothing & Jewelry Hair type: thin, just over chin-length Skin Type: combination Allergies (specifically B&B related): I can't use bath oils, and most bath bombs cause my back to break out something fierce Tub, shower or both? both! Favorite bath & beauty products: Paintbox Soapworks soaps, Bath Salts Clothing Style/Fave garments: very casual. I live in sweats & t-shirts Favorite clothing colors/colors to wear: pajama/lounge pants, capris, dark colours Type(s) of jewelry worn: earrings, pendants Jewelry - gold or silver? silver Do you have any allergies to metal? yellow gold Favorite gemstones: labradorite, sodalite, sapphire Sock/Shoe Size: 8 - for socks, I have thick calves, so I sometimes have problems with knee highs Random Questions: On a scale of 1-5, how organized are you? 4 Where, outside of the U.S. would you love to visit? Anywhere. Seriously, I'd love to just hop on a plane and go. Where, inside of the U.S. would you love to visit? I'd love to go back to Alaska and spend more time there Favorite City in the US/World? Toss up between New Orleans & Orlando Do people tell you that you act older, younger, or your age? Depends on the situation. If I gave you a toy gun with flashing lights, would you hide and start shooting people from around corners OR would you thank me on the IGI thread and then quietly donate it (a niece, Oxfam, Goodwill, wherever)? I'd probably thank you & quietly donate it. What animal do you feel like the most? Some days, a sloth. Your favorite feature about yourself: My sense of humor Do you live in a neighborhood or in the middle of nowhere? Neighbourhood 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. Wandcaps! I can always use more wandcaps! How do you feel about boi witches? They're pretty cool Do you like garage sales (boot sales)? sure! I like to slather my food in …: cheese State fairs or carnivals? Yes! You throw caution to the wind and runaway to join a traveling circus. What job would you want ( a main performer, a side show, a behind the scenes spot, etc) and why? I'd be the person pulling the strings from behind the stage - not so much a main performer, but I'd likely keep things running. It's just who I am. What mythical or fantastic race of creatures (dragons, unicorns, griffins, elves, dwarves, faeries, etc.) do you most identify with? Fae & elves Do you need storage boxes/bottles/containers? Decorated or Plain? I think I'm good on these The world has given you the day off. You hear that, no chores, responsibilities, or budget you have to follow. What would you do in those 24 hours? I'd run to Disneyworld! Do you like steampunk & if so what kind of steampunk item would you most like to receive? I like the aesthetic of steampunk, but I don't own anything that's steampunk-ish, so I don't really know what I'd like to receive. Do you have an etsy shop? Insomniac Mermaid - but it's likely going to go on vacation soon. It's a dime-a-dozen jewelry store, and nothing really sets it apart from any other stores, so ... Would you like to receive baked goods, if so what kind? I always want to say yes to this, and then realize that I don't even eat the baked goods I take to work, so I'm going to have to pass this round. 9/17/15 Pumpkin? No. I greatly dislike pumpkin. Booze? Sure! Want anything from Yellowstone? Be it postcards, key chains, shot glasses, pint glasses, or huckleberry what have you? I probably wouldn't say no, but I can't think of anything specific. 9/18/15 I know there is a question about "decorating style", but if you're comfortable, could you should us some photos of your spaces? For those of us who like to art and craft, it can be nice to have a visual sense of decorating style! I don't have anything on my walls, so there isn't much in the way of "decorating style" to show 9/19/15 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? N/A Are you a fan of the TV show Penny Dreadful? Yup! I already own season 1 on blu-ray 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? Neither - I can never get through the supply I currently have. I probably wouldn't turn down mugs or another french press, though (it's what I use to brew loose-leaf tea) 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? It's difficult to describe - I love puns, plays on words, dirty humor, even dry humor. I greatly dislike stupid humor (aka, most Jim Carrey movies) Do you like board games? If so, which ones? Traditional or more unique? (like Settlers of Catan, Small World, Red Dragon Inn, etc) I do like board games, but I don't have anyone to play with, so they probably wouldn't get used. Is there anything that you specifically do NOT want to receive? Nothing religious. Plain or fun socks? yes (I totally stole that answer, because it so fits 100% my feelings on the matter!) Name one (or as many as you would like) thing you would like to learn more about? Deciphering the Tarot! What one thing would you like to do more of? Live life and travel What are some things that fascinate you? Or, What would you like to know more about? I'd love to refresh my mythology knowledge! 9/20/15 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)? I've never head cookie butter, but I'd be interested in trying some. Is there any particular piece (or pieces) of art (painting, photograph, etc) that speaks to you in some way? I love the way Van Gogh portrays motion, and the texture he uses in his paintings. That said, as much as I love his work, I don't any replications (cus heaven knows, I can't afford an actual Van Gogh, and think they belong in a museum). What kinds of things would you like from the Lilith BPAL or BPTP update (or are you joining a decant circle?) I'm getting 4 bottles: Battle Fairy in Training, Blood and Judgment So Well Commedled, Meus Amor Aeternus, and Little Lady Macbeth. I wouldn't mind decants of the others. 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? Sure ... scarves, armwarmers/gloves What thing do you want to do (or get) but you keep putting off for one reason or another? Lol ... Wandcaps. 9/21/15 Would you like anything from Lush? Big Shampoo, maybe Fairly Traded Honey Shampoo, Rehab Shampoo Do you prefer hand-made or store-bought? Either is fine with me. 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? Maybe a 3. I can handle a little spice, but too much is murder on my stomach. What is your BPAL "Holy Grail"? Not sure I have one ... yet. Analog or Digital? Or Both? Both. For graphic novels, physical. Other books & music, digital. Movies I can do either way. 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.....? I'm always down for more NAVA. 9/22/15 Do you have an affinity for any specific animals? I love dogs, cats, foxes, birds of prey, dolphins Kitchen Needs or Wants? moving my stove & fridge so I can peel the rest of the wallpaper off, repaint my walls and put down new flooring? Aside from that, nope! Makeup! Do you like it, would you want some? If so what brands do you like to wear? Nope. I don't wear it, and I wouldn't use it. Chocolate fiends ahoy! What kind of chocolate do you like? Do you like any other things in it or just plain good ole chocolate? Dark chocolate, and I'm good with stuff in my chocolate Would you be opposed to receiving a ton of Halloween themed items? I love Halloween, but I don't decorate - some Halloween stuff is good, but I wouldn't want all Halloween. I'm also doing the 13 Days of Halloween swap, so I think I'll be set there. 9/23/15 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? I'm not familiar with either of them. 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've updated my Google Drive Wish List, and I've indicated whether or not I'd want decants or bottles What's your favorite scary movie? Or movies, either way. If you don't like horror, what are your favorite movies to watch this time of year? I don't really have a movie-watching ritual, other than around Christmas I do the dorky thing and make it a "Chris"mas ... watching movies that star Chris Evans, Chris Pine, Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Pratt 9/24/15 Blu-ray or DVD? Both Game systems - console or computer? Mac/PC? Which console? PS3, and Mac ... but I seldom play games. I do have a Steam account, though. Are you dressing up for Halloween and if so do you need any accessories for if? I haven't decided I'm going to dress up yet, or what as; I did find out I can dress up at work, so there's that ... just no clue. Talk to me about bags, what kinds do you like? Sizes and styles? Cross-body, but I tend to be picky What are your favorite fandoms and do you want to receive anything related to such? I'm a fan of many things, but I don't really participate in the whole "fandom" scene. That said, I certainly wouldn't turn away: Doctor Who, Avengers, Sherlock, Firefly, and I'm sure there are ones I'm forgetting ... What are you planning to order from the Weenies update? So far, I've only ordered La Femme de Satan 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!) Surprise me? Do you like comics or graphic novels? Any issues or collections you want to read? Absolutely! I have an entire wish list on Amazon dedicated to graphic novels! 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? Not much into 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!) Amazon.com Etsy.com (anything that's not in the "Items I Love" folder) BPAL ThinkGeek 9/25/15 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. Scarves, gloves/armwarmers. Think jewel-tones Would you rather receive a bunch of little packages through the round, a couple of medium packages, or one big package at the end? I could see maybe receiving small things here & there, and I love the idea of one large package at the end. 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)? Sure! Would Witchees like something from IKEA? (Or any other not always accessible by everyone store?) I'll pass on the Ikea bit; I actually have one here If/when you go to the mall, for which store(s) do you beeline? I avoid the mall like the plague, but when I do make a trip, it's usually to Hot Topic for some Funko Pop dolls Do you receive any subscription boxes (julep, lootcrate, ipsy, birchbox, etc.)? Graze & Funko/Marvel's Collector Corps Do you like tarts/candles/incense? If so, what type of scents? Candles yes, not so much on tarts or incense. I typically go for unscented, and I love the look of rolled beeswax candles. I have a fair stock of Forest's beeswax candles, but could always use more of the mini candles; I could use candle holders, though, for the taller beeswax candles Is there anything you wish you could have picked up from the Dragon*Con exclusives? Not that I can think of Is there a GC you've been dying to try but haven't got around to yet? I'd have to refer back to my wish list 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 love copper. And I'm good with either colorful or neutral. 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 don't have a lot of space for decorating things, and sadly, that includes wall space Office supplies hound? Pens, pencils, journals, any preference, or favorites? Nope, I'm good 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 fun socks! And I'm a big supporter of Sock Dreams! I live near a huuuuge candy store. What kind of candy do you like? Gummies? Caramel? Chocolate? Sour? Sugar-free? I'm a sugar addict. I love caramels, dark chocolate, nibbly-type stuff 9/26/15 How do you feel about animal products? Not so much animal toys or food, but more like furs, paws, bones, etc. I'd have to pass this time around - I'd have to wrestle them away from my cat. Are you interested in receiving any restaurant.com gift certificates for your area? No thank you. I really don't go out, so they wouldn't get used. 9/27/15 How do you feel about "toys" - stuffed animals and the like? Not a huge stuffed animal fan, but I do have a soft-spot (no pun intended) for Squishables. I own Anubis. 9/28/15 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'm interested, and I already ordered my Blood Moon Eclipse scent. Witchee's, how tall are you? And perhaps, what's your arm span (from wrist to wrist)? 5'2" tall, and no clue what my arm span is 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 feel connected to all the elements, and I'd say I'm more of an western element person. If I had to pick one element to associate with, it'd probably be fire - it's the Aries in me. In Asian astrology, I'm a Water Ox (completely opposite of my Firey Ram) How do you feel about bento boxes? Is it something you would use if you were to get one? I think they're cute, but I don't have much use for one. Scarves, shawls or cowls? Mittens, gloves, fingerless mitts or wristlets? Yes to all of the above? Well, probably wouldn't use a shawl as much, but everything else I'm good with. how do you feel about online classes? Like, say, craftsy or creativebug? Or even lynda.com? I should use them, but I don't. :\ 9/29/15 What do we want from Paintbox Soapworks? Off their main site: Crimson & Clover, Indian Summer, Scrumble -- prefer scrubs over bar soaps, no lotion From The Soapbox Co: Clean Slate, Peachwood - prefer scrubs over bar soap for Peachwood, no lotion From Etsy: Clean Slate, Lavender Truffle, Tiger Bar - bar for Tiger Bar, Scrub for Lavender Truffle, Bar or Scrub for Clean Slate 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? Either, but I'm not so good at figuring out what I'd like. How do you feel about gourmet marshmallows? Yes, please! Are you a slatherer or a dabber? 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. Uhhhhhh ... Please no tea. I'm over-stocked as is. 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? Gingerleaf Smooch, Honeyleaf Smooch, V2 Soap, Saltleaf Soap (prefer Smooch, but they look to be out of stock), 10/2-10/3 How does everyone feel about duct tape crafts? Any favorite patterns? I don't know? I don't personally do any kind of duct tape crafts, so ... Are there any flowers you especially like? Roses 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. Nothing comes to mind - sorry. Would you like Halloween or Day of the Dead themed ornaments or a "bunting"? I'm okay either way 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. I either read on my phone, iPad or physical book. I use duplicate post cards from the Lab as bookmarks for physical books. I make handmade journals, mini albums and similar items. Would my witchee be interested in something like that? I love journals, but I don't use them as often as I'd like. What songs/music/artists/CD's do you like to listen to around Halloween? Nothing different than usual Are you interested in leg warmers at all? Sure! Is your Halloween style scary, cutesy, folksy, grotesque . . .? Yes? I don't really decorate 10/5/15 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? I don't play video games nearly as often as I'd like, so it wouldn't get used 10/6/15 Have you read The Martian? Or do you plan on watching the movie? It's on my "need to watch" list for movies! Pertaining to that, how does everyone feel about such things? Will anyone be participating? How about NaNo swag, is there any you want? I won't be participating in NaNoWriMo this year. Honey or beeswax products? Discuss. I love honey & I really need more beeswax candles How do you feel about bumper stickers and car magnets? What do you like--cute, pretty, snarky, geeky/fandomy? They wouldn't get used Do you have any phobia's that your Witch should be aware of? I don't like ants or roaches...I also don't do well with open heights (like being up on ladders), but I don't think you can send that through the mail. Trading Post Weenies are live! Anything calling to you? I wouldn't mind decants of: Boo Hair Gloss Dead Leaves, Black Fig, Cacao, and Copal Hair Gloss Dead Leaves, Patchouli, Honey, and Warm Musk Hair Gloss Dead Leaves, Red Musk, and Neroli Hair Gloss But nothing from the post (yet) screams I have to have it ... Ooh boy, I'm way behind on answering questions. Let's see if I can catch up: 10/7/15 Speaking of nail things, it that time of year and I am doing my jamberry order, Would you want some Lovely Jamberry's for your nails? No thank you 10/8/15 Do you like or want to try Marmite? I think I'll pass Some folks have already said they do not want used nail polish. If you haven't already chimed in about that... would you be interested in a bottle of BPTP claw polish (in this case, either Event Horizon or Baku) that has been used for one manicure? I don't do nail polish at all, so it won't work for me. 10/9/15 Are there any DISCONTINUED (not LE) BPAL oils that you wish you had, or had a little more of? The only ones that come to mind are LEs Is there anything fairly basic that you're always running out of and need to buy more of? Not that I can think of Anything interest you from the recent Blooddrop update? Perfumes: Ankou sounds interesting, as does Fox Tails. Maybe a soap bar in Candy Bats, or a Sugar Bar in Vanilla Marshmallow 10/10/15 How to you feel about foreign spices/flavorings? Sure 10/12/15 Dearest Witchee, can I get you anything from Shiro Cosmetics? I'm going to place an order soon and perhaps you are interested in some of their goodies? https://shirocosmetics.com (https://shirocosmetics.com) I don't wear make up, so it wouldn't be used.

I may have received an off bottle, because I get next to no cinnamon out of this at all. In the bottle, wet, and dry-down, all I got was red, wet fruit. There's a slight hint of something smokey, and I definitely get "red" out of this, but this is really cinnamon-light for me. I normally have issue with cinnamon & cardamom causing a skin reaction, and I had none of that with this.

I get a mix of things on first sniff, out of the bottle. Applied, wet, it's straight up leather. Leather & nothing but leather. Dry-down: I get something almost maple syrup-y. The leather dies down, and there's something deep: hints of the patchouli & vetiver. I get 0 red musk, 0 jasmine, no champaca, and no cardamom.

According to the email I received, my bottles are #14 & #15. No idea which is which, so I've randomly assigned them. So far, I've only tested #14, and that was due to a labeling error on my part - I'd mixed up the label I put on the top of the bottle with one of the Orientals. That's what I get for not paying more attention! #14: Not sure what I get in the bottle, but it turns into way strong, men's soap on me. Whatever is in it, I amp, and not in a good way. Possibly violet? Because that's the only thing I can think of that punches me in the face like that. I only applied to my left wrist, with a toothpick, and OMG. I had to wash it off. Instant trade pile.

According to an email I received, my Oriental Bottles are #55 & #56. I don't know which is which, so I've assigned them randomly. #55: in the bottle: Not really sure what I'm getting. I'm having a difficult time discerning notes in this bottle. I keep getting hints of something wet & green, with maybe a hint of floral, and some deep … plum?. Applied: Nothing strong, but still a hint of greenness. Unfortunately, my skin eats this right up. Dry down, I get a hint of baby powder and not much else. No spice, no … nothing. It's pretty, but not one I see myself reaching for with any regularity. I'll probably trade it. #56: In the bottle: vanilla base, barely noticeable underneath something slightly tart, with a hint of floral. Applied, wet: I get the faint hint of red vines. This isn't a bad thing! I'm thinking there's some lavender in this, because I'm getting a slight medicinal undertone that I normally associate with lavender. There's a slight hint of something “soapy”. It'll be interesting to see how this dries down & morphs in a few hours. Right now, I can't stop huffing my wrist. I can't decide how well I like this one, but it's not an insta-trade.

At first, I was hesitant. Cinnamon usually burns like crazy, but I took a chance. Then, I was uncertain. At first sniff, this is powdery. Baby powdery. Not something I normally like, but I applied anyway. Then clove & cinnamon came out to play. The scent retained a lot of the baby powder I noticed earlier, but it never overpowered the other scents. Like others have said, I like this, but I think this may do better with some aging.

Men of BPAL rejoice, for this is the Hair Gloss for you. Seriously, all I got out of this was men's cologne, all.day.long. It never morphed. This should have worked, given the notes, but not so much in my hair this time around. Way, WAY too masculine. Alas. It's the first HG that hasn't worked for me.

In the imp: floral cinnamon. Applied, wet: I'm loving this. It smells of firey Red Hots. Dry-down: After 5 minutes, OMG THE BURN. Cinnamon burn. Fire burn. I wish it didn't burn, because I'd buy a bottle in a heartbeat. :(

In the imp: soft, but spicy Applied, wet: creamy, soapy, spicy. Drydown: Sadly, this fades on me after about 2 hours, but I'm loving the spice note in this. I imagine it'd make a fantastic hair gloss (scent there seems to last longer). That said, I definitely see what the fuss is about. ETA: I'm getting a soft, slightly spicy, creamy vanilla now; just barely there. Overall: On the plus side, there's enough other things in this that the rose didn't immediately come out and bash everything into baby powder. That said, I think it faded fast enough the rose didn't even get a chance. As well, Alice reminds me of a Chai Tea Latte wink emoticon

This was one of three bottles (2 separate orders) I purchased after Forest restocked. Love & Money are definitely two areas I need help with right now, so I figured why not. I decanted a tiny bit (about an imp's worth) into a small roller-ball bottle, for easier application to myself, and decided I was feeling brave last night, so I tried a little. In the bottle, I get something ... green, almost like grass. I don't know how else to describe the scent. Applied? I get the green, mixed with a little spice. After a bit, it becomes apparent that there's either cinnamon or cardamom in this, because I start getting the tingle/burn I get with either of those oils. As I didn't get the red streaks that normally come with cardamom, I'm going to guess cinnamon. I held my arms to my nose, and breathed in the scent. There was still that hint of green, but I started to get more of the cinnamony goodness. It was the warm smell of red-hots, warm, soothing, and a little stimulating. I can understand why this would help with increasing your chances for love! I haven't had a chance to test it out in the world yet. It did make me feel better about myself (which was much needed), and lord knows, it worked on my cat - I'm almost wondering if the green-component isn't catnip, because I've never seen her so affectionate. I woke up with her on my chest this morning, and she *never* sleeps there. She would not leave my side all morning.

In the imp: fruity but fresh, with a hint of spice. Wet, applied: Very fruity, but not over-powering. Still fresh, happy scent. Dried: soft powder, with a hint of fruit. I like this one, too. In the imp: fruity but fresh, with a hint of spice. Wet, applied: Very fruity, but not over-powering. Still fresh, happy scent. Dried: soft powder, with a hint of fruit. I like this one, too. Side note: Some of it soaked into my sweat shirt, and it's still overpoweringly fruity. I like it, but I don't see myself reaching for it much.

In the Imp: sweet, resiny, with a hint of smoke underneath. Wet, applied: same as in the imp. I'm getting a hint of red musk in this, but it's a fainter red musk than I'm used to. Drydown: It fades fast (which I may attribute to it being winter, and my skin being much, MUCH dryer than usual), but leaves a lingering sweetness I really like. Even the next day, I'm still finding I really dig this one. This scent didn't even cross my radar when I made my initial Lupercalia wish list, and it's the one bottle I ordered.

The only thing that keeps coming to mind with this scent, on me, is: fizzy pink lemonade. I'm not really sure why I'm getting that, but ... sadly, not a fan. Normally, I'm good with the musky scents, but this one's not so much a winner on me.

I decided to give this one a go, not realizing it was discontinued (because I frimped away the imp I had -- more on that in a minute). In the Imp: woodsy, warm, inviting. It wants me to try it. It's begging me. Wet, applied: Mm ... okay, I'm really digging on this. Still with the woodsy vibe, but now I'm starting to get where people talk about how this is a more masculine scent. Dried, several hours later: I can't stop huffing my wrist. I really wish this was on a guy, because I'm pretty sure I'd jump him right about now. Definitely too masculine for me to wear (hence why it was frimped), but DAMN. I need a moment; or three.