By March
Was Swapmania a big perfumed bottle of fun, or what?
Having so many swappers put their email address/contact info at the end of their swap lists worked well, in my opinion. Interested parties simply contacted them directly to try to work something out. This accomplished two things: it sped up the swap process, and removed all the back-and-forth negotiations from cluttering up comments on the blog.
As a not-so-innocent bystander, I admit I missed watching that horse-trading unfold onscreen in real time. But it sure made wading through the comments/offers easier.
What did I wind up swapping for? I got another 1.7 of Goutal Mandragore (lol, I needed that like a third eye), a coffret-size bottle of L’Artisan NdT, and a buncho samples. I was thrilled.
I want you all to know I laughed/cried/cringed as I saw items up for swap which I had reviewed, and wondered whether they were things you’d bought unsniffed based on my review and decided you hated. Sorry about that, and shame on you for buying unsniffed.
Also laughing at the number of you who swapped back for items you’d swapped away last time and decided you couldn’t live without after all.
Finally – wow, we had many overseas participants, and they did a lot of swapping amongst themselves (inside the EU or whatever). For those of you who are still pissed at the number of US residents who won’t swap outside the US, I’ll simply repeat myself here with apologies. If I swap within the US I can weigh the box, buy the postage label online at the USPS website, chuck it on the service desk at the PO, and I’m done. But mailing overseas from the DC area requires a level of postal scrutiny that makes my OB/GYN appointment look like a fun alternative. It’s not a trust issue, it’s a hassle issue, and everyone gets to decide how much hassle they can tolerate.
Okay, your turn! Are you pulling your hair out, trying to remember what you swapped for? What did you get, what did you like, what worked, what didn’t, etc.
PS: Good news: I got a great job in a specialized field in a lousy economy. No complaints there. Bad news: I’m working 12-hour days right now. Then I come home and try to refresh the kids’ memories that I’m their mother. That’s going to mean (in the short term, while I get caught up at work) no response to comments, although I SWEAR I will read them, late at night, and savor them like vintage Jicky PDT. Love to all of you. You have no idea how much the Posse means to me. Or maybe you do.
Congratulations on the job March though the 12 hour days are a bummer. I agree with your comment that people including their email details from the get go cut down on the posts and made it easier to sort through. I didn’t get involved as much this time as an international swapper (and I don’t have a problem about that. I’m very lucky in that I can do everything via a machine in the post office which doesn’t ask awkward questions and when I can’t even be bothered with that I know a very accomodating person in the post room – ooops. If I had to queue and answer stooopid questions I’m not sure I could do it) but the swaps which I was involved with were conducted with the usual Posse generosity and good humour and I am very very grateful. Some still to complete but I’m confident it will be OK.
Congratulations on the new job, March! That’s no small feat in this economy. I enjoyed Swapmania this time around, despite the fact that I was juggling a semi-working weekend, an upcoming training seminar, and probably taking too much on, but I still don’t regret a minute of it. What was different than last time was that I participated in far more international swaps, and I think that added to the fun of it. It really only takes a few more minutes at the PO, and I really enjoyed meeting and swapping with such a diverse group. I also had the chance to catch up with some fellow swappers from previous Swapmania events (Hi Sherri!) and was reminded what an amazing group of people I’ve had the opportunity to get to know through this community. Truly, thanks to all of you (and March, the Posse means so much to all of us, too)!!!
Yay about the job! Poo about the hours.
I had planned to sit this one out but ended up with 5 swaps! The draw to swap was too strong and I had some unloved bottles that are going to good homes. In return, I’m getting partial bottles and decants that I’ve been lemming for a long time.
Thanks so much to everyone who worked with me! And thank you, March for hosting, and a BIG CONGRATULATIONS on your new job. Hope you find the time investment rewarding, and don’t worry – the kids will remember who you are!
I found it useful to track everything very carefully in a steno book so that I would send the right things to the right people, acknowledge and thank them, etc. For those of us who need to write everything down, does anyone have a useful form or spreadsheet to track swapping activity? Please share if you do! :x
I just kept track of everything in my perfume spreadsheet. One page of the spreadsheet is a list of perfumes I have tried, by house and perfume name, with comments and my own personal ratings. Another page has a list of what I have bought, and another is my swap page. I have a list of what is available to swap or give away, with as much info as I might need–perfume house, name, size, how full it is, age (if known), whether or not it has a box, etc. For my swaps, I moved the ones that got spoken for to a separate section, and made columns next to each one for the name of the person I was swapping with, what I was getting in return, the tracking number of each package, and columns for “package sent”, “delivered”, “email received”, “swap received”, and “email sent”. I placed an X in each cell as appropriate when I sent a package, got confirmation of delivery, got an email acknowledging receiving the package, when I received my own package, and when I sent an email acknowledging it. That way I knew exactly where I was with each swap.
What program did you use for the spreadsheet?
Microsoft Excel.
Congrats on the new job, March!
I too was thinking about sitting this one out because even the small cost of mailing the items is a bit of an indulgence these days but I am sooo glad I participated. The Posse peeps are so very generous –
Big thanks to Unseencenser for the extra care in the packing and the extra goodies. You were right about the Amouage Opus I. What was I thinking when I said none of the Amouage’s work for me?!
I enjoyed meeting new people and all my swaps were great!
I’m so glad you found an Amouage to love! I keep hoping His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Sayid al Sayyid takes pity on me and sends me a big ol’ box of vintage Amouage (and some Tribute)….packed in diamonds (so the bottles don’t rattle around, don’tchaknow 😉
xo >-)
Its me again. perhaps next time we could do this post a bit later…international swops are not yet complete, and I for one am really excited. No worries on my part on the “only US” shipping issue. For the first time the PO clerk in HK asked me if i had Perfume. (I just put cosmetics on the customs form) I felt really uncomfortable saying no…even tho it was really true, because I had only eau de parfume, eau de toilette….) Put it down to semantics! It is so incongrous with HK folk at the POffice, cause these guys are the most obliging and helpful people. I enjoy my PO visits because of these folk with such humble attitudes.
It gives me so much pleasure to see the giving spreading love and you guys are the best. I am so grateful to be a part of this community and hope one day to meet you in person for the group hug.
Next time round, I will be more organized…and am already looking forward to the next one! Timing was great for me on this one! Thanks all and have productive days with only good news!
Congrats on the job, March. I am old (almost 60), have 2 degrees as well as specialized training and am pathetically glad to have the job I now hold, even though it has nothing to do with any of the above.
This will make me sound like a turd in the punchbowl-a not unusual role for me-but I am glad the swap thing is over. Reading the daily Posse is one of my small pleasures and I missed it while the swaps were going on. I personally hate swapping because of many very bad MUA experiences long ago (such as getting a dirty, broken comb, torn out scratch and sniff magazine samples and a nearly empty bottle of what I wanted from a long time, well known member/swapper who kept demanding more and more from me in order to swap her swill). I’m glad other folks had fun and I’m also glad ‘regular’ Posse is back.
b-( that sounds like a Swap from Hell!
xo >-)
It was, Musette, and even after all these years I long to ‘out’ that woman. She’s still on MUA, still swapping, still attention and sympathy hogging and apparently still getting away with her atrocious behavior because so many other folks are too ‘ladylike’ to make a fuss.
she sounds like my sister! =)) (I can say that – she doesn’t read any blogs!)
(in actuality she’s my stepsister and has held her family in thrall to her craziness for decades – when I bit her, hard, the calls and emails that came in!! You’d have thought I’d slayed Grendel!!! ;))
xo >-)
My haul:
Dior J’adore Absolu Thanks Nina!
Noble Rose of Afghanastan Thanks Tammy!
La Rose de Rosine Thanks Leslie!
DK Gold Thanks Boriana!
This was fun!
OK, so Tammy’s email is telling me that I no longer have a valid address for her, so hopefully she will see this:
Hey Tammy, I did mail your package on Monday. Thank you for my golden K! I had intended to write a nice little note and put one in everyone’s box, but since I was trying to get them out, not a single note was enclosed. Anyway, the wine charms are to make up for the fact that you wanted dangles on bottles and I had no dangly bottles to send you. This way you can put dangles on anything you want! Or, you can keep them in their boxes and regift as you see fit.
The Cabotine smells aweful on me, but I love that cute bottle with it’s very own pink swimming bonnet. Maybe it will look cute on your shelf next to any Lucky bottles you procure in swap.
Kimberly
I was going to sit out this Swapmania (too much stuff, have to save money, nargh nargh blah blewey), and I have to admit– i was pretty intimidated by the quality at first (Amouage? Roja Dove? Eeek!).
But I ended up swapping a bunch of decants and was reminded again how much I love what I have, and how much I love sharing it. I got a bottle of Epic Gardenia which is transporting me out of my winter blah, some beautiful new roses (Aoud Rose Petals, whuh? Delicious!), and a precious little decant of Diaghilev that’s blowing my mind. And the Santal Blush is giving me untoward thoughts. Ahem.
Thank you, lovely swappers, you remind me how lovely this little world is!
Thank you, Miss March, for starting up this craziness, and good luck with your new gig! I don’t know if you’re in an office, but here is some helpful Work Advice from the Hairpin about Vampires, Drama Queens and Soulless Careerists:
http://www.theawl.com/2012/02/some-advice-for-young-people
Thanks, everybody!
Swapmania was soooo much fun! I loved reading other fumies’ lists, making bargains, sending and receiving little extra surprises. I hadn’t really intended to do much swapping, but ended up swapping with nine really nice people. Some of what I got:
Nuit de Noel
Parfum Sacre, vintage EDP!
L’Air du Desert Marocain
Calyx
Amouage Honour
Profumo di Firenze Tabacco
Vol de Nuit
vintage Magie Noire
Cuir de Lancome
and so much more–
oh yes, some wonderful Blue Bottle coffee beans, too!
Gotta go, cat wants to sit on keyboard.
Congratulations on the new job, March!
Thanks, all you lovely Posse people. XOX
:x
ooh, another great list! Congrats!!!
xo >-)
Congrats on the new job. I do hope things will ease up a bit – 12 hour days are so draining, I know I can only keep that up for a week or 2 before losing it.
I participated in 2 small swaps. I got everything already, mostly just a whole bunch of decants and samples, but they are such fun to try out. All for just the cost of shipping – it was a great experience once again!
BTW, March, meant to say that I thought February worked out to be a great time for Swapmania. After the busy/crazy holidays, we head into a dreary few months until spring, so the swap gave us all something to plan for and look forward to. Another plus: mailing fragrance during cooler months. Thank you, March, and everyone — we have such a great group of folks here on the Posse!!
This was my third Swapmania and it wasj ust as good as the first two – Posse peeps are awesome and so are the swappers! I had way too much fun and ended up swapping with six people, including a delightful repeat encounter fro mthe last one.
I only had decents of my own to swap so mostly got decants and samples in retuirn – which are still arriving – but I did score two partial bottles, one of Montale Chypres Fruites -about 50 ml, in order words a lifetime supply – and my much longed-for Sisley Soir de Lune.
I did not stick to my own wish list at all, which made it even more fun! I ended up with decants of Missoni, Theorema, Tubereuse Criminelle, CSP Matin Calin, and even Shalimar Ode a la Vanille, which I promptly swooned over – to me it smells like what Shalimar very well might have smelled like in the early days, or SHOULD have anyway, since I don’t get a lot of vanilla in the current version but it’s supposedly one of its signature ingredients. Also lots of samples and fun surprises, and a big bar of heavenly dark chocolate ! :-)
You’re an awesome swapper! Thanks for introducing me to A Wing and A Prayer–I’m buying some minis from her–and vintage! Still lots more testing to do this weekend. (It’s a hard job, but somebody’s got to do it!) I might have a little something else for you. More on that later.
You are pretty awesome too, Suzy Q! :-)
I am glad I could hook you up with a wearable patchouli scent!
Oh, how could I forget – I also got a BIG and virtually full bottle of YSL Paris Roses Enchantees, which arrived today – I love it! I have to save my “regular” Paris (original formula) for weekends because well, you know, the thing is a monster, but this is so light and fresh I can wear it anywhere.
Flora – I second Suzy about your awsomeness. No – Package not yet arrived, but I’m not worried! Our conversation alone was worth the time and effort spent.
HUGS!
a:)
Thank you my dear – so glad we could swap again! :-D
I got caught up in other things so missed a lot of the wheeling dealing and random swapperoos that made the last one so much fun, but I still managed to swoop in at the last minute and make a great trade (which arrived all dolled up in ribbons and wrapping paper!).
(And Musette, if you’re still looking to trade away some Parfum de Therese, I am still here for you, gorgeous. /:))
Congratulations on the job, March! Hope the hours ease up a bit after you’ve settled in.
Wait. you want to trade FOR PdT or you have some to swap? I only have a teensy little bit so no swappage TO available, alas.
I am down to my last send-out and it’s not actually a Swapmania pkg – just a long-overdue pkg of goodies. But I am a laggard. :”> and the tail end of S’mania caught me in the midst of work and pop drama – but he’s okay and the work is ongoing and all but that last package went out today! #:-s
xo >-)
I swapped a unloved unsniffed purchase (Nuit de Tubereuse) for another unsniffed bottle (Miel & Vanille) so I am sort of playing with fire…buuuut. It’s honey and vanilla, what could go wrong, right?? We’ll see when I get the package.
If it doesn’t work out there’s always the next Swapmania:)
I had a great experience with this as I have with previous Posse swaps. I managed to swap away the last couple of full bottles that I just never wear — hopefully to much happier homes! — but I was mostly swapping decants this time. For those who are nervous about saying goodbye to full bottles, in case you might want them again someday, I highly recommend buying some decanting supplies. That way you can share the love and try new things with less commitment.
Thanks to the Posse and all my lovely swappers!
I had a great time, met some new peeps – hey, Kismet! – and also managed to swap with a couple of the same lovely people from the last go-round. It did seem a little less frenetic this time, for some reason.
I’ve managed to get all but one of my packages in the mail (that’s for you, Asali, and it’s going out int’l today, I promise), and hats off to all of you speed demons who sent me my end of our bargain in record time. I, alas, was a bit slower off the mark.
A big thanks goes out to the Posse for hosting this event. It’s a real “high point” in my, well, season, I guess (both “day” and “week” are too short, “year” is too long {and sounds a little pathetic, like I have nothing else as exciting going on in my annual life, which may in fact be true}. What I’m trying to say, badly, is that it is an event of significance and it makes me really happy. So thank you, Posse, and thanks to all of you friendly and generous people who I will most likely never meet in person, but for whom I feel some seriously warm fuzzies.
I totally agree with your last paragraph. It’s been an especially high point during a dreary winter.
Suzy Q, I’m with you on the “star in the dark sky” front. Within the scope of all the work deadlines, the stress of never finishing any of the daily life to-do lists, a general lack of friendliness in our culture, not to mention our tendency to distrust strangers (and I’m not saying it’s unwarranted), this experience holds for me many really good things – a giddy desire to share a wondrous sensory experience, acceptance and understanding about a singular obsession, a feeling of trust that is surprisingly easy to wholeheartedly adopt, and then there’s, well – then there’s opening all of those swap packages and finding perfume inside. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you about how good THAT feels. :d
HI Lisa,
I’m so relieved, my package for you only went out a few days ago, although I packed it up immediately. I’m so pleased to have met you, and isn’t that what it’s all about, meeting great new generous, sweet ‘fumistas?
Yet another swapmania where I met delightful people new and old. Thank you to the posses for this great arrangement :-)I am already looking forward to the next instalment.
Ah, that’s good – so we should each get the swap around the same time!
Congratulations on great job! I saw fancy-dancy title elsewhere. I love it when good things happen to wonderful people!
Sorry to have sat out Swapmania this time. My mom was put into the hospital that Friday, and I’m actually still here at the hospital with her. The email addresses did seem to make things run faster, more smoothly, but I couldn’t see the wheeling and dealing! Glad everyone had fun.
As for overseas swaps, I did swap overseas from the US, but it was scary. There are signs all over promising huge fines and federal crime prosecution for shipping liquids, flammable and fragile items. To ship things I had to lie. This was really scary and uncomfortable. Please do not take US folks fear of overseas mailing badly. Dinazad, you were an amazing person with whom to swap!
March, congratulations on the new job! This is great news. You know I’m happy to have your writing for the ‘Posse any way I can get it, but your family comes first :) Be well.
Yes, I am the same way about shipping. I have swapped a few times internationally before but feel very uncomfortable lying and worrying that it will get opened and I’ll be fined! I’m sure it never happens, but I would rather not.
HS,
I am sending @};-@};-@};- to your mom. My pop is in the hospital – again – with that blasted UTI – but he seems to be getting better. Do let us know how things are going, okay?
I ship crap all the time but then, I am a liar and an authority flouter and a lazy weasel and…and….and a >:) I do NOT ship fissionable materials, though. We were just joking up there about the yellowcake. Really! :-j
xo >-)
Woman, you are gonna get us all on some crazy watchlist! I already get the deep pat down search every dang time I go through the airport. My sweet librarian persona clearly isn’t fooling anyone :)
So sorry about your pop being in the hospital! Hope they can nuke (heh, heh) his bacteria, soonest. The great news is that today, on hospital day 13, my mom seems better. Thanks be to God! She has a long way to go, but for the first day since surgery I have hope. Thanks for your kind words. . .I’ll keep your dad in my thoughts and prayers.
Silly SOTE boo-boo: put on OJ’s Tolu, 3 sprays, as I’m home in my own bed tonight. So tired I forgot I had put it on, then put on my tiny sample of Lush’s 1000 Kisses. How can *anyone* be so tired they forgot they put on 3 hits of Tolu??? Wow. Must sleep, soonest. Hope you are well, and sniffing better. Keep us posted on your progress. Best to you, and all here at this great community, the ‘Posse.
Don’t know if this is applicable, Hemlock, but my sister also ALWAYS gets searched. Because of a back surgery scar, she does not wear pants. She thinks that the TSA searches her because of her full skirts. She could be hiding ANYthing under there,don’t you know!!
Best wished for your mother’s recovery.
I had a fabulous Swapmania. After starting out not even sure I would participate, I ended up doing five swaps! All packages arrived at their destinations safely. Among others, I received bottles of Nicole Miller, Maharanih, Norell, Moon Drops, modern Vent Vert, and some lovely hair combs. Thank you to my fellow swappers for all my treasures. I hope you are enjoying your bottles as much as I am enjoying mine! And thanks to the Posse for hosting.
Hey March – new job that you enjoy and makes you happy BIG YAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!! :-)
Know how it feels to be doing long days and having to remind your progeny that you exist, let alone what the rules are about table manners.
So if that means we won’t get to read so many posts from you, it’s cool.
We’ll just appreciate the ones you make even more. :-)
Hi March,
I loved, loved, loved Swapmania! I got to meet more great people behind the screen names, as Kismet put it, and I had a lot of fun making up those little packages! And….I even got to swap with March this time…yay!! I received Fleurs de Cedrat, Lemon Cloud, Rose Poivree, Prima T, Musc Botanique, Myrrhe Ardent and many gorgeous samples and body cream and a vintage decant and nail polish and more…:-) Wow! This time I swapped with some people who were seasoned perfumistas so the hardest thing for me was trying to find something to send them they maybe didn’t try before.
Also, this time there jaw-dropping, amazing offerings-Sacre Larmes de Thebes (and I’m sure I got that wrong), Voilette de Madame, vintage Diorissimo, et al!! All I can say is “Wow!”
Thank you March for bringing so much joy to so many!! Lots of love & every good thing in your new endeavor!!
Chiming in to add my thanks to March and the Posse for this fun event!
This was my first Swapmania also, and my small stash was returned manyfold with a huge array of samples and decants–truly an embarrassment of riches. I’ll be busy sampling for a long time to come.
It was also great to meet some of the people behind the screen names–special thanks to Suzy Q, Dante’s Bra, and Lisa D.!
Couldn’t do Swapmania this time because of family obligations (you know how that goes) but I had a wonderful time at the last one. Hoping there will be more to come in the future.
What great news about your new job! You definitely deserve to have things come around right for you. I really appreciate all the good energy that you put out into the world.
Hi sweet March! Congratulations on the job — so very happy for you! I was going to pass on Swapmania this year but darned if I didn’t get happily sucked back into it. Great swaps with everyone, and a repeat swap with a lovely and generous swapper. (How many times can I use swap in a post?)
One of these days I will participate in Swapmania. Life keeps interfering, damn it. Congratulations on the new job!
Once you try it you’ll be hooked! I hope you can participate next time.
My first Swapmania was great! I got Eau de Camille, Jeux de Peau and an unsniffed Cuir de Lancôme, all of which were (more or less!) on my wishlist, as well as many decants and samples. The first package arrived yesterday and I’m thrilled! Thanks for hosting it and to everyone who participated! Everything worked like a charm.
Congrats on your new job!
Congratulations on the new job, darling March! Take care of yourself.
I almost didn’t participate in Swapmania due to the blue funk I’ve been in for weeks but couldn’t resist & put up my small list at the last minute. So far I’ve received a box of gorgeous vintage jewelry that was so fun to look at and admire. My 84 yr old mother collects old jewelry too (our competition during garage sale season can get fierce) and she enjoyed looking at my new pretties, too. I put together a surprise box for another swap. Posse people are the best – group hug!
Rosarita, Swapmania raised me out a funk, too. It’s amazing what sharing with other people can do. Group hug indeed!
About half or my packages are on their way (sorry, ladies!) and I hope to send the rest out by the weekend. All in all I had a great time – swapped with several people I’d swapped with before and am all set to get lots of non-perfume items: yarn, tea, jewelry… Yay!
I’m glad we had the conversation about overseas swapping last year. Not only did I (and other European swappers as well, I suppose) now understand the reason for it, it also seemed to me that the tone in which the “only swapping in the US” caveat was delivered was so much more friendly than last year. Thank you all for that as well.
It was great fun and a real pleasure – looking forward to the next event!
And March – congratulations on your new job! Wishing you luck and success in it!
This was the first Swapmania I participated in, but I’m already looking forward to the next one! I ended up with bottles of Sacrebleu (something I owned before and stupidly swapped away) and Miriam thanks to two very generous and lovely swappers.
Yay for the job, but boo for the long hours. I’m sure you’re the best-smelling person at the office.
Well, this was my first Swapmania and I almost didn’t jump in just out of a bad case of extreme Newbie-itis. I’m so, so glad that I did; the wonderful new scents I’m still receiving daily are marvelous, but the best part of all was meeting so many delightful people! (Hi, Tammy! Yeah. I’m talking about YOU). And Gina, and Tammie, and Elizabeth, and Sujaan, and……
So, I guess I’ve caught the bug and I’m already looking forward to the NEXT Swapmania. I have an old – like 25 yrs. or more – bottle of Joy EDT with only a few mls left at the bottom, and they’ve turned deep golden with age. I adore it more than anything on Earth and it smells like heaven, but I’ve stopped using it. Too valuable. Must save for swaps. I’ll just settle for using my new bottle and suffer through it. [-x
You should do the reverse, imo. Wear it, enjoy it. Love it! Life is uncertain, sweetie.
I used to hoard my vintages and exclusives…now I wear them with abandon. I’m liking my world a whole lot more these days…;)
Glad you had such a great swap experience. THere is no ‘newbie’ – there is only ‘do’.
xo >-)
I was trying to decide what to wear today, and then I read your wise reply. You’ll be happy to know that I’m typing this while the scent of some old Joy EdT is wafting around me! :)
^:)^
Your sample of EL Tuberose Gardenia is in the mail.
So great to get good news about your job, when there is so much bad stuff flying around:-) I just received received my first package today….and it made me so happyteary with the giving nature of people. ThANK YOU (all of you on the Posse, patty, anne, anita, tom) for hosting this exceptional blogosphere of giving of both the fumes and the heart! Somehow the perfumes I received all smelled beautiful…Every time I wear one of them, I will think of the person, the generosity…and it will make my perfume experience more special(if that could be possible)
And this is only after my first package!
We’re so glad to have you here, too!
Hope all your packages bring you joy!!!
xo >-)
Yes, I can believe the regret that might follow when you have a hankering to smell something you used to have and then you suddenly realised you swapped it away! Someone once gave me a big bottle of Chanel 19 and then asked for it back a week later – I couldn’t do that to anyone, no matter how much I missed it, but I could understand where she was coming from.
Congratulations on the job, March. Your kids should bt proud of you!
I do have an idea, and I love you for it!
Hugs!
People were swapping back things they’d swapped last time? That’s hilarious.
Like everyone else, I had a blast. It felt good to see how happy someone else could be to receive my unloved perfume. And it was great to meet some really nice people.
I got things I wanted from my wish list and things I didn’t even know I wanted (!), such as:
A Wing and a Prayer Haight & Ashbury
Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan
Lucien Lelong vintage Balalaika
Two swappers sent me amazing vintage perfumes. For the first time I’m starting to understand the excitement over vintage and indie perfumes.
In fact, everyone was so generous that with each package received, I ran to the computer to double check what I’d sent in return, hoping I’d been as generous.
Thanks, March. And thanks to everyone who made this Swapmania so much fun. I look forward to reading everyone’s comments on today’s post.
Here are the other decants and partial bottles I got, for those who like to read lists!
Onda edp
Infusion d’Iris
SL Un Lys
SL La Myrrhe
Eau de Merveilles
Elixir de Merveilles
Extrait de Songe
Portrait of a Lady
Mitsouko, vintage and contemporary
Lelong Pour Femme
Carven Vert el Blanc vintage cologne
Guerlain Eau de Cologne Imperiale, vintage
MPG Eau des Iles
Aqua Allergoria Flora Nerolia
Patricia House Orange Cologne, vintage
Purple Patchouli
Jicky
Guerlain Heritage
I got so caught up on the swap reporting that I forgot to say:
Congratulations on the new job, March!!
And:
We love you too!!
😮
that’s some swap list!
xo >-)
I know, I know. Ain’t it grand? I’m SO happy but also feeling a little embarrassed: I thought others would write lists, too. C’mon y’all!
Woohoo! You made out lady! Good on ya!
I’m so glad you got your Id’I Suzy – I noticed your wish list because there were two on there I had but I live in Canada, so it was a no-go. (I’ve never had much of anything to swap, because I’m on the less impulsive end of the perfumista spectrum, and adore everything I own).
In fact, between seeing your list and the growing number of real-life friends who are asking for advice, I figured it was time to finally break down and get some decanting supplies. Now I just need to find a good resource for Canadians.
Which is a round-about way of asking: Once I get some supplies, could I send you a small decant of Winter Woods? I don’t want anything back, I’d just like to share the love.
Dionne, you’re too much! Posse peeps are the best. SOTD was Id’I, by the way. Maybe by the next swap I’ll have gotten over my international shipping phobia. Email me: smaakest AT yahoo.
SuzyQ, I truly enjoyed swapping with you! :-D
Ditto what they said– you’re an awesome swapper! I love my Diaghilev, and I don’t know how I would got my mitts on some otherwise!
Aw shucks. I’m so glad you’re happy with the Diaghilev.
This was my first Swapmania (I somehow missed the first two) and I had a blast! I got rid of 8 unloved bottles–and no, none of them were anyone’s fault except mine. They were generally things that I liked at one time, but didn’t love anymore. Chalk it up to changing tastes, or maybe changing skin chemistry. I got a bottle of Coup de Foudre, which I have been wanting for a while, two other rose scents (Rosa Alba and Poussiere de Rose), some vintage Femme (wow!!), a small bottle of vintage Heaven Sent, Baiser du Dragon, a large bottle of Balmain Ambre Gris, and dozens of samples that will take me weeks to work through. I didn’t stick to my wish list, which was short anyway. If the other swapper had anything that sounded interesting, I made the swap. Actually, after I scored the Coup de Foudre (which was on my wishlist) in my first swap, I just wasn’t too worried. I figured the worst thing that could happen is that I would trade one thing I didn’t like for something else I didn’t like. Nothing to lose but a little postage. I really appreciated that this took place in winter, too. I just worry less about shipping perfume in cool weather.
Coup de Foudre is divine!
I have lost track of what I swapped for but I’m loving random boxes of perfume popping up on the doorstep and emails from people who are thrilled with their packages. I have one box left to mail…and it’s the swap for the swap I regretted last time.
Tammy, you are the most gracious, beautiful soul I’ve never had to pleasure to meet! More than once I have found myself bouyed by your generosity. You’re offically on my favorite Ginger list.
Miss March, you can arrange pickup at home, no need to go to the PO! You don’t need to be home, either. Look for the “Schedule A Pickup” button.
I had SO much swapping, and got SO many amazing things that I can’t even begin to mention it all.
Several packages made me get all teary eyed, they ALL made me grin and the emails from my fellow swappers made me laugh out loud.
What an incredibly amazing group of folks we have here at the Posse.
Hey, it was good for me too. 😡
Unfortunately I can’t leave packages for the postal worker, because I live in a neighborhood with a rash of thefts of packages (sending or delivered). They’re even breaking into mailboxes here, so I can’t use those either.
Seconding you on the amazing Posse peeps.
I’m going to send you a couple of Cane Corsos to hang out on the front porch. That should take care of that! Oh, wait…..that means the mailperson probably can’t get on the porch either..:-?
xo >-)
Tammy was the funnest, sweetest, most generous swapper ever– i’m loving all my new roses, just in time for Valentine’s day! Thank you so much!
I swapped for a lot of things for other people, which is weird. I got a gorgeous bottle of NM Clear for my bf, J. Another bottle for one of my favorite swap pals….I am :”> to say only one of my packages has made it to the PO – all other go out tomorrow.
I did swap to CAN but my PO gals couldn’t care less. They know I’m not shipping Strontium 90 or something. It’s just a box of dusting powder, for Pete’s sake!
xo >-)
Swap that Strontium! You know somebody out there wants it! Is it mostly full? How many mls are left?
/:)
I’m hoping to swap it for Yellowcake ;))
(if Patty gets a visit from the NSA, we are SO gonna be in trouble=))
xo >-)