well! it’s been a heckuva couple of days, with the site going down like me against Mike Tyson. I know I owe you guys some winners. Hang on. Let’s see what’s owed. Oooh! Bracken Man!
BostonScentGuy
Grizzlesnort
Gmail me, evilauntieanita, with your address and what you’ve won. Will get it out to you pronto!
Not much to report here. It’s been raining on and off with temps veering wildly – from 70 to 90F within a matter of 2 hrs. Tax deadline is next Thursday so I’ve been girding my tax loins with vintage No5. Finding files that turn out not to save me a plug nickel, dagnabbit. Wishing I were in Venice. Italy. California. Doesn’t matter. Both are lovely. Though Venice CA has Killer Shrimp – love that place! And it’s just down the road from Santa Monica Farms, the little shop across the street from my former office. The BEST Watermelon juice EVAH! Because I don’t have to juice it, don’tchaknow. I miss Santa Monica, with its always-vegetal smell. This time of year the light is changing, even there and I think there is nothing more gorgeous than the glancing light of an early Autumn sunset on the Pacific. Funny how it’s the light, more than the temperature, that heralds a change in seasons. I’m starting to think of warmer, heartier fare, even though it’s still hotter than blazes. Just something about the slight shift in light. Pretty soon it’ll be time to bake bread again – our house is unairconditioned so even proofing bread in Summer is a challenge. And I am going to try to cut my bread intake by half this Winter, see if I can keep that Bread Belly off. We’ll see. Warm bread with good butter…..it’s hard to resist.
I just finished reading A Great Reckoning, Louise Penny’s 12th book in the Three Pines/ Inspector Gamache series. I don’t know if any of you remember when I was first led to Inspector Gamache by my now IRL friend Sharon (she thought I should know Ms Penny’s work and, incredibly, sent me a copy of Still Life). This twelfth novel made me think of certain perfumers – but that is for another post. I’m just rattling on here because Posse is back UP! and y’all needed a good rattle, right?
What’s up with you? How’s the light in your neck of the woods? I feel like giving some fun stuff away – my Messy Armoire is FULL! Tell me how you are – I love hearing about what’s going on with you, even if I don’t have the time to always respond. I always read. You Posse are so very much appreciated. The Girl is getting her nails done on Saturday so once the polish is dry I’ll have her poke random.org and we’ll send out some fun.
xoxoxoMusette
Yay, fall! So relieved to have the extreme heat and humidity gone, the light has changed and the trees are starting to turn orange and red. My very favourite season here in Montréal.
I love this time of year, the light is beautiful, warm days, cool nights. I am wearing Bottega Veneta for the first time since spring. I will have to check out the Louise Penny books, thanks for the recommendation. I also love the Ms. Fisher TV series…clothes are gorgeous!
Yup, the days are getting shorter, the light is fading fast and the temperatures are going down a little here in Ireland. As today was a windy 18oC i got out my Botrytis for the first time since perhaps March this year. A lovely walk in the park, kicking the fallen leaves, and smelling sweet is a great antidote for a pre-back-to-work-day! I personally cant wait for the Autumn to really kick in. PS… i dont know how you live without a/c in your house with such high temperatures – i would be hot, sticky and cross all at the same time! 🙂
I have noticed the change in light too. And I love the Louise Penny books. The quality of light is a major motif in her writing.
The days are getting shorter in Cleveland. I’ve noticed that a week ago. It seemed like in the beginning of August, it was completely dark at quarter to 10 and the sun was shining at 7 am. Now we have all kinds of apple and pumpkin stuff at the grocery store. I cannot wait until I can wear some of my heavy hitters.
I too have felt that bread baking urge lately – must be the end of summer coming – but here in Canada it’s so freezing in winter it’s a struggle to get it to proof too, but I keep trying’. Thunderstorms today, I will be wearing Neon Graffiti by Jazmin Sarai – everything apse smells green, so why shouldn’t I?
Glad the Posse is back online. The light here in the SW US is lovely this time of year. Golden State indeed. 😉 I’ve lived on both coasts and in the middle of the country, too. Everywhere you go the autumn light is special and different.
Thank you for the Inspector Gamache tip. I’ve been looking for a new series to fall into as the season change. And thanks to Laurels for the reminder that I need to get back to reading Phrynne Fisher mysteries. I read the first two and then lost the thread somehow.
Off to the library tomorrow. Giddyup.
I LOVE Louise Penny’s books. My favorite in the series was The Beautiful Mystery. I haven’t read the newest one but can’t wait! I would love to try some of these perfumes so thanks for the opportunity! Although I guess I’d have to trade in my jeans for something a little nicer if I win. 🙂
Yep, I’m with the ‘it’s the light’ crowd. Days are getting longer here and I’m loving my tulips. My baby daffodils (Tete a tete) have just finished, I adore them. We’ve had beautiful days and the world feels good. Over winter I felt I had no energy for anything, now though, hold me back!!
I’ve been archive diving in my bazillion samples before they evaporate. Les Nez The Unicorn Spell and Malle’s Le Parfum de Therese have been standouts. I finished my vial of Le Labo’s Iris 39, how gorgeous is that? Mind you, so is the price. Sigh, such a perfumista dilemma.
Reading. I finally got around to reading ‘The Help’. I loved it, I can completely see why it’s a book club classic. And ‘Let’s take the long way home’ by Gail Caldwell, such beautiful writing.
I love your yapping Musette, glad to have you back.
Towards the end of August the days have gotten noticeably shorter, and the light is more angled, and the trees look dried out and pale even before the leaves start to turn. There’s the sound of the schoolbus in the morning, but no birds singing. Pumpkins in gardens are orange and apples in trees are red. Then the corn and the soybeans in the farm fields start turning yellow-ochre and soon it will be harvest time. There’s not enough light in the evening to mow the whole lawn, so the chore schedule must get re-arranged, and my life is a bit off-kilter until I adapt. My choice of perfume ( and beer) get darker and stronger. But I love autumn, even though it feels like an ending as well as a beginning.
Sigh, time to replace the gutters on the house before winter gets here. And enjoy my fall favorites like Dune and Santal Majuscule and Portrait of a Lady…
Finally starting to get marginally cooler here after the hottest Georgia summer on record (literally). I’m grateful, even though that just means the high temps are in the 80’s rather than the mid-90’s. Autumn is my favorite season, and that clear, golden light and high blue sky are among my favorite things about it.
Wearing Estee Lauder Intuition again for the first time in a couple of years. It’s usually classified as a dud if it’s mentioned at all in the blogosphere. But I really love it–that citrus opening that turns out to feature grapefruit, which is one of my favorite notes. Lasts and lasts, and it’s affordable too. What’s not to like?
I’ve never heard of EL Intuition – and I luhs me some grapefruit! Will have to try!
LOLing! at the 80s being ‘cool’. I know just what you mean. It’s in the high 70s here, with overcast skies and, after the brutality of the past few weeks, it feels like late October! 😉
xoxoxoA
The weather was really nice the other day when a tropical system blew through the desert, but we’re back to high 90s again and the end of monsoon. Booo. Nothing’s changing color but the weeds are all dying, so that’s cool, and I put on BPAL’s Samhain, so I’m pretending it’s autumn. 🙂
I’m meh. New archwires for my braces hurt, and I have a bug my kiddo brought back from preschool, but I should be getting a small bottle of Bal a Versaille soon!
it’s 50yrs later and still I remember the pain of braces! ow! And ow! on the bug transmission. Was just talking about that with a friend – they have 3 kids, two in K/pre-K and omg. They’ve been in school 12 minutes and already those two are spiking fevers and passing them around like cigars!
xoxoxoA
Yes, you’re right about the light. The maple tree on the corner of my street has begun, just very slightly, to change color, even though it’s still in the 90’s here in North Texas. This tree is truly gorgeous in the fall, and I can’t wait for cooler weather and cooler weather scents!
I love when the colors just start – so pretty!. It hasn’t really happened here yet, except for the smoke trees – they’re starting their smoky pearlescence.
It’s still hot in IL (though we are getting that muzzling rain that brings out those bitey little gnats. I hate them like hornet soup!)
xoxoxoA
So glad you are back. I thought for sure it was something on my end and that I was the only one would couldn’t access this blog, so I even showed it to my Dear computer biz Husband. He said, “Nope not you. They’re having problems. Be patient, I’m sure they’ll sort it out.” As if I’m ever patient.
It was 93F here on Wednesday. I was miserable. Going to be 14 degrees cooler today. Thank goodness. Even with the heat, I notice the morning sunlight (when there isn’t morning fog) is different and hits in different places now. I like autumn light. It’s more colorful and has more glow than the bright, white hot sunlight of summer. Even though the days are still warm to hot, the nights are starting to get chilly and I’ve noticed a tinge of red on the edges of the maple leaves out front.
Still enjoying green scents right now including Frederic Malle Magnolia and a sample of Tom Ford Vert Boheme.
Smart hubby! I always think it’s on my end, as well.
It’s amazing how even subtle shifts in light affect how we see the world. I haven’t thought of cinnamon in several months. Now, all of a sudden….Cinnamon Rolls!
xoxoxoxoA
Hi Musette, Usually I notice how the light has changed at this time of year. But, last few days, it has been foggy and hot. Eww. I can’t wait til the weather cools way off. Just finished reading Anyone Who Had a Heart, Burt Bacharach’s autobiography. Great songwriter; I hope people will remember him as such, and not in the “easy listening” way. I heard him play and sing “Alfie” at the Berklee College of Music in 2009, a musical gift and performance I will never forget. Not feeling the fumes today, but sending love to you and your readers. XO
E – I have had a crush on Burt since the late 60s (when I should’ve been too young to even know who he was!). I had a crush on the whole Burt/Angie Life – I couldn’t imagine a cooler couple. And he and Hal WERE easy listening – but in the very best way. 40+ years later, pretty much everybody not bouldered in a cave knows at least one Bacharach/David tune (betcha).
I getcha on the ‘not feeling it’ – sometimes, in transitional weather, it’s all I can do to just stay upright. Hang in there ! xoxoxoA
OMG Queen Cupcake, Burt Bacharach will always remind me of my deceased father. I think he bought every single record there was recorded with BB orchestra…and all the Dionne Warwick records too. The Look of Love was my dad’s favourite song and I preferred Don’t Make me Over and What the World Needs Now and of course I Say a Little Prayer.
I must find his autobiography!
You’re baaaaaaack! Hallelujah! It’s getting more gradually cooler here — sliding into the 70s and getting rainy and breezy. I’m eyeing my smokier and leather-note perfumes. But the humidity is making me want to break out the skank a little longer, so I think I’ll wear Salome today!
I know what you mean! I busted out Cuir de Russie AND Doblis recently. Both of them were glorious in the humidity!
xoxoxoA
Even though we’re in the middle of a heat wave here, you can tell that fall is coming by the changing light. I’m curious to know if any of the posse have tried Charlotte Tilbury’s first fragrance,
called “Scent of a Dream.” I am pleasantly surprised that it’s a grown up fragrance, not insipidly sweet like so many out there. I’d be interested to hear the Posse’s take on this. I’m not affiliated with the company, except for the fact that I like the cosmetics and creams a lot!
dunno! Posse? anybody? xoxoA
I admire you for making bread, it is hard work all that kneading!
Spring is starting to do its springy thing here, dawn is noticeably earlier. I also have a springy new puppy so my house is full of shredded stuff, but I love how they make you laugh!
He is watching me make curries for dinner party and I am wearing Mohur in honour.
Jackie B – “ain’t nobody got TIME” for all that kneading. This is my go-to: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/almost-no-knead-bread-by-cooks-illustrated-50010165
It’s good to have you back 🙂 It’s still in the 90s out here, but like you, I’m watching the light change, and my body is begging to be clad in leggings and booties and a light cape. Also, I want to put on my heavy amber/vanilla perfumes without wanting to rip off my skin.
lol! I usually LOVE the heavyhitters in the heat but this Summer has been weird. I was going to say it was too hot – but it’s been too humid! I’ve been in my lighter Summer frags (yeah, I know No5 isn’t considered ‘light’ but it is to me). xoxoxoA
I just posted the comment above and see that the country icon is Jordan…I’m from the US, just visiting here!
well, Welcome!!! Jordan is an elegant, exotic place to be posting from! Glad you’re hanging with us, wherever you may be!!! xoxoxoxoA
Hi! I’m a newcomer here…just subscribed the other day. I love it here, already!
Hi Musette, glad you’ve sorted everything out with the webpage. We have a lovely indian summer here and I’m driving every weekend to the coastside to enjoy another swim in the Adriatic sea and to avoid the city rush. The sea is getting colder, the days are getting shorter, but the therapeutic influence it has on my body and soul are amazing. I feel a bit nostalgic and I wear mostly vintage Paris by YSL recently.
by ‘you’ve’ you mean Patty. I can barely get the blasted posts up! lol!
And OMG! on the Adriatic Sea. You wanna talk about light? One of the most beautiful visuals is that beautiful purplish light across the Gulf of Venice, imagining that I am on a boat headed to Montenegro. xoxoxoA
I don’t recall which thoughtful perfume aficionado on which blog first Louise Penny after I started reading perfume blogs, but my mother thanks you. Those books and the Miss Fisher series are her current favorites. (And if you haven’t seen the Miss Fisher tv series, you should remedy that. The costumes alone are worth watching. It’s shown on the Ovation channel, and I’m sure it’s streaming somewhere as well.)
I could tell you…but then I’d have to kill you 😉 LOL! not really – you may have read it here. We chatted about it for a LONG time after I was gobsmacked by ‘Still Life’. I hadn’t read anything that nuanced in a very long time – and I was so grateful for not only the recommendation but the gift of the actual book! xoxoxoA
I love the Inspector Gamache series, though I have only read the first 4 books or so. So beautifully moody with a great sense of place. I just noticed leaves starting to change colors on some trees around here (NorCal/Bay Area), which is the only symptom of a seasonal shift so far. That and the hoards of shrill school children 🙂
I kept expecting the Gamache books to lag – they never do. I really appreciate that she takes her time. xoxoxoA
I’m behind on my Louise Penny reading and need to catch up if I ever get time to read again. Actually, the audiobooks aren’t half bad so I may resort to those.
The weather here is still summertime-hot so there hasn’t been a break in the outside work to be done. Not that there’s less to do in any other season. I get that same itch when the light shifts, to pull out my flannel shirts and heavier perfumes. I’m compromising by still wearing ratty bikinis with my work boots (sexy doncha know, what with the sweaty bandana and damp hankie hanging from the waistband) while amping the perfume a bit.
I dunno…sounds pretty sexaaay! to me! 😉 xoxoxoA
It’s great to have you back! With me, it’s not the light, it’s a feel in the air that’s somehow different. I also love CA, especially the Santa Anas. I always feel so alive when the winds blow. One of the many things I love about Hawaii are the trade winds that blow much of the time. They do cause regular bad hair days but are so worth it. 😉
oooh! Hawaii! Great minds think alike. My favorite thing about Hawaii is the trade winds as well – there’s something so…adventurous about them! xoxoA