Well, dear Posse pals, the stars (and Mother Nature) have aligned in such a way that I have no sniffing (or even somewhat related) post for you today. Monday a week ago, a head cold settled itself upon me, giving me quite the stuffed up nose. Then a snow catastrophe hit my area, virtually paralyzing everyone with icy roads, so no school for the past four days for my 13-year-old, the husband holed up at work in the big city for the duration (safe and in a hotel near his office, thankfully), and there you have it. I am trying not to complain too much as we’re safe and warm and have it a lot better than many folks.
But this past week has brought one thing clearly home to me: I never knew how much I’d miss sniffing. Seeing the samples I wanted to test and knowing that they’re temporarily out of reach makes me feel more than a little frustrated. And even my best comfort scents are of no use right now. I’m realizing how much fragrance is a part of my life and acts as somewhat of a cushion, giving me something to look forward to on a bad day, lifting my spirits when I sniff something beautiful, and even a perfume that’s not my style is, at the least, thought-provoking.
So in the meantime I’ve been loading up on the tea (to help shake loose the stuffed up nose), baking cookies with my son, watching movies, cleaning and doing laundry. And we did get out today a bit to avoid complete cabin fever. But I am so looking forward to a week without freezing temps and a clear nose. I’ve got a lot of sniffing to do to make up for lost time.
What about you – how do you cope when your sniffer is all stuffed up and out of commission?
There is a mustard bath product line by a Canadian line ( http://www.barefootvenus.com) that contains bath salts and muscle rub. I dump a crapload of the eucalyptus and spearmint scented salts into a HOT bath, soak til I am 97 % prune, then use the creamy muscle rub. I then sleep for hours, and wake up feeling less congested and relaxed. I have lots of both product if you want to sample???
Wow, Tena, those sound amazing! Thanks so much for your kind offer and I’m very glad that you found something that helps you. And I love your phrase “soak til I am 97% prune” — that had me spewing my tea!
One of my favorite strategies is to put a few drops of essential oil in a large bowl (mint, lemon, and rosemary are some of my favorites), pour in some very hot water, then put my face over it with a towel to trap the steam. And I take mucinex with a ton of water.
I hope you find something that helps!
That sounds very helpful; will to that next time — thanks! Fortunately, I am almost back to normal and doing a bit o’ sniffing today. The new Atelier Cedrat is fresh and bright and a real nose opener!
Every time I get a head cold, I take Allegra D. I know it’s an allergy pill but it helps with the sinus inflammation to get all the junk that’s in my sinus’ out faster before it becomes a sinus infection. And drinking a lot of fluids helps too. Even though I can’t smell a damned thing during a cold, I will wear the EDP version of Jicky and the EDT version of no. 22.
Hi! Thanks, that is a good idea — will definitely have to try it next time. And good for you on the Jicky and 22 — you were smelling great for everyone else!
Ann, I hope you’re feeling better – didn’t realize that in addition to dealing with the ice and snow problems in Atlanta, you were dealing with a cold. Not fair. 🙁
This sounds crazy, like it wouldn’t work, but when I’m in misery with a cold, I drink apple cider vinegar with water. I even gargle with apple cider vinegar, though I brush my teeth afterwards, so as not to damage the enamel. I believe apple cider has antibiotic properties (though don’t quote me on that), but at any rate, I use it as a natural cure for lots of ailments and find that it really works to push things out of one’s system fast.
Thanks, sweetie, I’m feeling much better. And I would be quite content if I didn’t see another snowflake this year. 🙂 And thanks for the tip on the apple cider vinegar; I’ve heard good things about it but never tried it. Hope you all are OK and your family is doing well.
Same story here. When I’m stuffy, I reach for the heavy hitters (not that I shy away from them when I’m not!)…crepe de chine parfum, big 80’s, anything that has a chance of detection. Even if I can’t smell every moment, I get scattered whiffs here and there.
Hope you get well soon and no one else in your family succumbs to the creeping crud.
Yay for the big ’80s heavy-hitters that can get through anything — I should have pulled out my vintage Poison or Opium, ha! I’m feeling much better now, thanks, and hope to resume sniffing today or tomorrow. Hope you are OK — stay well.
Poor thing, I hope you feel better soon! I can never understand why people will say “it’s just a cold” – colds are miserable and so infectious. It is interesting how much our perfume enhances life and it’s hard when it’s taken away, even when you know it’s only temporary. Tanya Sanchez said perfume adds a soundtrack to life. You’ve been on my mind anyway, Ann, as I’ve watched the news of the mess in Atlanta. That kind of ice is crippling anywhere but so dangerous in places that have no means to deal with it, I’m glad you all stayed safe.
Thanks, dear! You are so right about perfume; it really does make a difference in our lives. And yes, thankfully, we are all OK. It was really ugly here in the South for a few days; we get so little snow that we’re just not prepared to deal with it and everyone panics. I am hoping and praying that we’ve seen the last of the ice and snow here this winter.
I can feel for you because I’m in the same boat with a head cold, too, Ann. It started with a bad sore throat this time. Right now I’m at the stuffy nose stage. Last evening I wore some Kai oil which I could smell to lift my spirits. Off to brew a pot of jasmine tea. That smells good, too. Feel better soon!
Oh, no, Dina — poor baby! I hope you feel better ASAP. Glad the Kai oil and the jasmine tea are helping. Hang in there and it will be over before you know it.
I hope you feel better soon! I usually go with zinc, vitamin C, and lots of hot tea as well. My mom gave me a lovely lavender white tea a while ago and that is perfect for those (these :() stuffy days.
Nemo, thanks so much! That lavender white tea sounds wonderful. Tea really did help me, not only because of its benefits, but it’s also one of the little pleasures you can still enjoy when sick.
hey Ann,
I’m sad for your predicament.
One o the things I have to do when I get sinus trouble is make the hottest bath I can stand and completely submerge my head d heat up my whole body, breathing the steam helps too. If find that it can bring back some ability to smell after the second day.
Good luck.
Portia xx
Thanks, Portia — good to know! I didn’t think about the benefits of steam and hot water. Hope you are having a ball in Paree — eat a macaron for me! 🙂
Hey, sweetie! I’m sorry you’re feeling all stuffy – it always surprises me, just how all-over icky a cold is. So achy, stuffy, and seemingly endless. Tea! Lots and lots of tea! I’m still working on that batch I bought from Georgia Tea Company (tonight it’s Rooibos Mocha Rocha) – excellent recommendation, by the way.
Feel better soon, dear.
Thanks so much, Lisa! And so glad you’re enjoying goodies from the Georgia Tea Co; they’re nice folks. I have not tried that rooibos you mentioned, so will have to remedy that in my next order.
My mum has had major sinus problems for about 5yrs and has totally lost her sense of smell and I forget all the little joys being able to smell brings until each time I’m with her and she can’t smell the fresh passionfruit on her vine or baking or perfume or that the milk may have turned! lol. So I panic a bit when I can’t smell, and tend to do things like eucalyptus oil in boiling water with a towel over my head to decongest and bring it back faster!
I hope your no smell spell is almost over
Oh, dear, Lynley, so very sorry to hear this — bless her heart!! We tend to think of the pleasurable side of sniffing, but there’s also a very practical side as you mentioned, and being able to smell smoke, etc., as well. I hope that maybe one day her sense of smell will return; you never know. And I’m doing much better, thanks! Hope to resume sniffing tomorrow.
water, zinc (NOTHING SPRAYED, thank you; 50 mg am/pm), and spicy food. when my nose starts to run, i can usually smell SOMETHING. it’s truly a olfactive’s most frustrating moment.
“an” … for those among us particular about grammar. 😉
Hi, and thanks for the tips. I had forgotten about zinc but will keep that in mind for next time. As of now am almost at the end of the congestion, so will happily resume sniffing tomorrow. I did try to avoid dairy, which I’ve heard will increase production of the runny stuff.