I’m in Shalimar parfum today. Because it makes me feel sorted as opposed to all over the map. Sunday was Perfumer H Smoke for a cold, bright day. I love this but I especially love the gingerbread drydown.
I remember when I lived somewhere it actually snowed in late autumn/winter and how beautiful and magical that was.
This is really not my time of year in this country (how many times can I say that?). By the time we finally hit the winter solstice it will get dark around 4 PM, or just before, and the sun will come up at 9, or just after.
It wasn’t till I moved to London that I started to develop chilblains every autumn and winter. Profoundly annoying affliction.
I always feel like we’re on a descent into darkness in December and I feel for people who find the holiday season really unpleasant and trying.
I can generally manoeuvre the period by continually reminding myself it will start to get lighter soon.
But, this year I have felt bombarded by Black Friday stuff and having more trouble than in the past getting last bits for gifts/Xmas box for family and friends. Just not feeling the creativity.
Am lacking motivation with regard to French lessons (who knew how annoying Relative Pronouns with Prepositions could be …).
But, so far the Xmas decorations in the village are lovely. The Xmas market is open in town and will be visited. I’ve ordered Xmas dessert from my favourite bakery (a Buche de Noel). It’s always fun to see what she does. Last year, the tiramisu came in house form, like a gingerbread house. And plan to add some plain croissants to the order – because hers are so outstanding.
And a bit of joy to see you into Monday: I ordered my bottle of Neela Vermeire Creations Eshal. I am beyond excited. The parcel should arrive end of this week/early next week. A lovely friend and my son facilitated the purchase with a gift card and a contribution. So, big, happy sigh.
What about you? Raring to go into the hols? Planning on leaving until mid-January? Something in-between
Pics: pexels, wiki
Eshal is a beautiful fragrance. It is complex and the perfect fragrance for the winter months. My skin eats up fragrance, but this one lasts on me. You will get your money’s worth with Eshal.
I am glad you ordered yourself that. This time of year you need a little splurge. I think my splurge is this year not to splurge.
You smell wonderful!
Oop North we had the first snow overnight. We made it to the airport during it, the plane needed de-icing. We missed the worst of the cold thankfully.
More snow due on Friday. Won’t last long though
Ah, snow. I recall the pillowy stuff in the huge storm we had the last year I lived in NYC. It was so gorgeous. Are you flying again? Where to?
I wonder why my comment only came through on 2nd Dec? I sent it whilst we were in El Med last month!
Our family of six adults all worked to put up and decorate the Christmas tree together after Thanksgiving lunch while I was washing up, so that huge job is done (and off of MY plate for the first time) so I’m feeling very cheerful about the season. I’ve got my clipboard organized with the list of gift recipients, and have already made inroads on purchasing said gifts. Just need to not get sick! Your Christmas dessert sounds very delicious, Cinnamon. I still need to decide the menu for Christmas day. Christmas Eve we go out for Chinese food. Lucky lady getting NVC Eshal! Merry Christmas indeed for you!
You sound very organised. I am hopeful about dessert. Will the menu include turkey? We’ll be doing fish and chicken as mains.
We did turkey and ham for Thanksgiving, so I don’t want to repeat them for Christmas. I think last year I did roast beef.
My local farm shop sells huge beef wellingtons that look beautiful. they also do these de-boned turkey breasts rolled and stuffed. it’s fun to watch the people who do all their holiday food shopping there and come away with £500 bills.
I’m in California, in the central Sierra Nevada Gold Country–and that’s what it is looks like everywhere: gold. Golden Oaks are interspersed with green conifers, Cedars and many varieties of Pine. The valley has had low lying tulle fog which when it comes up the hills wreaths the base of the mountains creating a magical feeling, the dew so heavy it almost but not quite feels like rain. We’re quite enjoying it. I’ve been wearing lots of incense, Solstice Scents, along with Miller Harris la Fumme, House of Matriarch Antimony, BR 540, which is meh to me, and Tom Ford Sahara Noir (lovely). So sorry you are going through the doldrums with chillblains. When I lived in the Thames, we had lovely snow, last a few days and then disappear but always frost somewhere in the winter. The baked foods sound delicious. When it does get dark and gloomy around here, I make the fire and light loads of candles.
That sounds glorious. Especially with the fog. And incense seems perfect. We’ve not had real snow for ages.
I always wonder which year will be “the last snow year.” It is absolutely getting warmer overall, fewer snows, and more rain later in the season with a late sudden frost to kill off any budding fruit trees. I try not to think of it too much and just enjoy the right now, and right now it’s beautiful.
I think the last time we had a real storm was 12 years ago. beautiful. but no one here really understands how to drive in the snow and most people don’t have snow tyres (why would they need them?). I remember watching some young numpty trying to get up the hill on the main road: increase speed, drive fearlessly, get part way up and have to slide down. why he didn’t just turn around and go the long way still makes me shake my head.
It snowed here last night; we have a delightful dusting that will be gone by noon, sun’s out. Chilly but pretty. I always thought “chillblains” were one of those Victorian novel things, like the vapours, but no! I have a soft spot in my head/heart for this season, I’m glad to say. Come February it’s a different story. Congrats on the Eshal!
Alas, chilblains are a real thing and rather unpleasant. Ah, snow. I do miss snow but I think England south of the midlands would just stop with any significant accumulation.
We’re in the midst of a typical Midwestern blizzard. Bombarded by snow on Saturday ( a whopping 6” in 10 hrs) it quickly dropped into the teens, thus ensuring the snow would become permafrost. Today we’re expecting a mere 1.5”. Because it’s nothing but open fields from one place to the next nonessential travel is not advised
I hate everything and everyone.
I’ll get over it – I always do.
But I don’t like it.
Wearing scads of No5: shower gel/ body oil/ body cream/ perfume…
the only thing I lack is the powder!!!
I am sorry your world is so annoying. Can you just hunker down and eat soft scrambled eggs? You do smell incredible though…
I’m definitely hunkering! I went to the gym ( 2 blocks away) and the Dollar Store ( tomato paste – how could I’ve run out of tomato paste?) – we all did the Bread & Milk pre-blizzard shopping Friday so we’re all set… except, obviously, for the tomato paste;-)
I’m just a whiny pee pants because it really is EARLY for this much snow. But I’ll get over it!
Hi, Cinnamon. I’m in Pennsylvania and it’s cold here. We’re expecting rain or snow tomorrow. Wearing Shalimar, too. It’s a comfort scent for me. I hope it warms up for you.
Love Shalimar. Have parfum and EdT. Very different animals. Where I. PA? Family lived in Philly for 4 years 66-70.
Around the corner from Chestnut Hill.
We lived in West Mount Airy and I very vaguely remember going to the market on Germantown Ave
Hey Cinnamon,
December 1st! World AIDS Day and the day I post all my Christmas cards. Not sure why Mum always sent them Dec 1 but here we are and I still try to do it, mostly achieved.
We have arrived at SUMMER here and they are predicting an inferno. Very worrying, even in suburbia, especially in such a leafy area as we live in.
SO EXCITED for you to have a full bottle of Eshal! It’s bloody gorgeous.
Portia x
Indeed, World AIDS day. Here’s to Act Up and the Church Ladies for Choice.
Did your mum ever say why so early? I have my cards but I doubt I’ll send them till some time in the second week in December. And tree will go up … at some point.
Ah, summer. Can I send you some of our rain in exchange for a couple of weeks of clear weather even it it’s cold?
I am very excited about Eshal, but once I’ll check the bottle is ok the box will get re-rapped and go under the tree. With everything else.
The only explanation for the cards was December 1st is Christmas Card sending day. I thought that was the way the world did it. As a grown up I now know that’s not how it works. One thing I like about it is; I’ve spent money to buy them, and stamps, and have hand written a short message. The cards deserve more than three days on the shelf, string or tree. It’s nice to let people know they’re important as early as possible, and have hard copy confirmation.
We will take some rain please. Just some 7pm-3am drenching light rain for a couple of weeks. The grasses are already brown and the whole east coast is a Eucalyptus scented tinder box awaiting a spark.
I will raise shifting the rain with Mother Nature. It looks like we’re starting to flood here…