Coffee cup number two.
Good morning. To take a page out of Abby's handbook, I feel like a walking pathogen vector.
It's a combination of things: the cold wind this morning (note to self: hat!), this week's depletion of my body's iron, and probably a little low blood sugar tossed in there, too. I didn't sleep particularly well last night, either. It took me nearly an hour to fall asleep, and when I did, I kept having fever dreams, including one where I was in a movie theater at the bottom of the ocean (?) and we were being attacked by great white sharks and some new species of super scary shark called a black gun shark. You know, I honestly have no clue where my dreams come from. At any rate, I have a headache that's comprised of more uncomfortable lightheadedness than I would like. Maybe it's an extremely delayed hangover. Regardless, I think I'm going to stop somewhere for dinner tonight, as my body's doing its montly calling out for rare red meat thing.
In other news, holy BPAL update, Batman! I think I'll probably hem and haw until my next paycheck, but this is certainly the update that is breaking my nearly four-month no-buying streak.
Hunger Moon
HUNGER MOON:: When Hunger Moon hangs high in the sky, the fields are frozen, and game is piteously scarce. Sleet covers the ground, and biting winds chill to the bone. This is a quiet, cold perfume: desolate and despairing. It is a clear night sky that and bracing chill wind that bears the promise of snow, sharpened by the pain of hunger, and the sharp, rasping stab of thirst. Ozone, white sandalwood, crystallized white amber, verbena, oakmoss, clary sage, and a hint of white citrus rind.
Probably not. None of these notes particularly wow me.
BAKENEKO:: In sharp contrast to the stark sterility of Hunger Moon, we present a carnivorous chaotic charmer: the bakeneko. The Monster Cat is a shapeshifter, and is empowered to take the form of a beautiful woman (to entice lonely gentlemen) or a winsome young maiden (to the peril of childless couples). Though some bakeneko are benevolent, and only wish to find someone to care for them, or to show gratitude to a mortal that has done them a great service, others are furry balls of malevolent mayhem. Their mischief ranges from simply destructive -- knocking over lamps and destroying property, tossing ghostly, freezing fireballs from their hands -- to horrifying acts of carnage. Warm amber musk, Satsuma tangerine, black tea leaf, cardamom, cherry blossom and cinnamon.
Amber, check. Cinnamon, check. Cardamom, check. But cherry blossom, tea, and satsuma? All things I like, but how will these all blend?
Ashtanyika: The Faces of the Heroine
Nyika is the quintessential Woman In Love, and the Ashtanyika encompasses the Eight Faces of the Heroine. In Indian art, she is both the inamorata and the priestess, and her dance is the dance of the earthbound heart and the unchained spirit. In allegory, her consort can be interpreted as both a mortal man and as Deity, the latter illustrating, beautifully and lyrically, the many facets of mankind’s relationship with his or her faith.
ABHISARIKA:: She boldly goes forth to meet her lover, heedless of propriety, intoxicated by love, and radiant with youthful, innocent passion: Damascus rose, African orchid, cream accord, and Kashmir musk.
Yes. I don't really do florals, with the exception of rose, orchid, and some white flowers. But with the addition of cream, this could be absolutely fabulous.
KALAHANTARIKA:: She regrets her harsh words, spoken thoughtlessly, which caused a quarrel that divided her from her lover: hyssop, lavender, balsam of Peru, jonquil, and elemi.
The only time I ever want to smell like lavender is right before bedtime.
KHANDITA:: She, whose lover has been unfaithful. She lashes out in rage, and her heart is filled with fury: fiery saffron, neroli, severe black musk, rose otto, and a harsh splinter of rosemary.
Eee, probably a little too harsh for me. Plus, the dreaded neroli.
PROSHITAPATHIKA:: Her lover is away on a long journey, and she is pining for him. Sleepless and disconsolate, she counts the days until he returns: blue iris, fennel, dark musk, verbena, and a drop of star anise.
Sounds prettily blue. I'll wait for the reviews.
SVADHINAOPATIKA:: Proud, contented, and aglow with joy, she has conquered her lover with her charms, and she knows with all her soul that he is completely and utterly devoted to her. In bliss, she basks in the blessings of the God of Love: golden amber, oude, red sandalwood, massoia bark, honey, and currant.
Oh yes. This has got all the markings of a scent that will be wonderful on me. Plus, currant!
VASAKASAJJA:: Dressed seductively and sumptuously, reclining in a bed strewn with glorious, sensual blooms, she awaits the arrival of her lover. Her breath is quick with anticipation, and her cheeks are flushed with passion: skin musk, wild orchid, champaca flower, amaranth, tonka bean, and French vanilla.
This could go either way, because tonka has a tendency to oversweeten a scent that would ordinarily be light and airy and perfect. I'll wait for the reviews on this one.
VIRAHOTKANTITA:: The Wilted One. She who is separated from her lover, and because of the distance between them, she suffers from loneliness, longing, and sorrow: blue lilac, snowdrop, bergamot, night-blooming cereus, frankincense, Himalayan cedar, and stargazer lily.
Hmm. Maybe? This isn't something I'd jump for, but I'd be interested in reading the reviews. Plus, I don't know how keen I am on wearing something that screams lonliness and desolation, you know?
VIPRALABDA:: She is tearful and dejected: her lover has broken a promise, and did not arrive for their tryst. She feels that she has been deceived, and her heart is volleyed from misery, to anger, to resentment: benzoin, Greek sage, hay, melaleuca ericifolia, oakmoss, and blue chamomile.
This sounds really soft. Herbal, understated, clean. Also, likely to fade within ten seconds. Probably not.
Lupercalia
DOLCE STIL NUOVO:: Love always finds shelter in the gentle heart. Dolce Stil Nuovo is a 13th & 14th century Florentine literary style that celebrates love and womanhood through heartfelt, delicate, and melodious sonnets, ballate, and canzones. This is fin’amor, Courtly Love, in its most moving form, and the emotions that these words express reflect love that both spiritual and idealized. Within this literary movement, earthly love reaches for the Divine. Our interpretation of Dolce Stil Nuovo is a blend of rose otto, carnation, vanilla flower, lavender and jasmine with the clarity of crystalline white musk and the warmth of golden amber.
Lavender and jasmine make this one a no-go.
CHINTAMANI-DHUPA:: Pound well together sandal-wood, Kunku, costus, Krishnaguru, Suvasika-puspha, white vala and the bark of the Deodaru pine; and, after reducing them to fine powder, mix it with honey and thoroughly dry. It is now known as Chintamani-Dhupa, the "thought-mastering incense". If a little of this be used according to the ceremonies prescribed, he who employs it will make all the world submissive to him. A fumigation for fascination! A strangely sensual blend, exotic, compelling, and commanding, adapted from an incense recipe found in the venerable sex manual, the Ananga Ranga.
I have no idea what this will likely smell like, so unless I read glowing reviews, no.
KANISHTA:: The Other Woman. The scent of dark desire, heady with intrigue, shadowy with deception: black opium, Haitian patchouli, jasmine sambac, French magnolia and kush.
Too heavy and floral.
KHAJURAHO 2007:: The fabled Khajuraho temples of India are shrines of love in all its myriad forms. They are a celebration of love itself – transcendental, spiritual and erotic. This is a rejection of sorrow, spiritual ennui and despair. The sexual motifs that adorn the temples, and the temples themselves, are monuments to ecstasy and to passion, and through that, they are also monuments to spiritual fulfillment. It is believed that the realization of moksha by dedicating oneself to adhyatma and dharma can be attained only by first experiencing sexual satisfaction. In the midst of the drudgery and struggle that we sometimes endure during the course of our Earthly lives, it is vitally important that we remember the joy found in kama, and that in kama we can achieve transformation of the body and soul. This is a blissful, euphoric blend based on an ancient Indian love potion: honey, date palm, tuberose, davana blossom, amber, white sandalwood, vanilla bean, Damask rose, and champaca flower.
Last year's Kajuraho was blindingly harsh sandalwood, and didn't soften with my chemistry the way it did with others'. Pass.
LUPERCI 2007:: Piss off, Saint Valentine! Lupercalia is an ancient Roman celebration, held on February 15th, that kicked in the advent of Spring with a very, very festive purification, fertility and sexuality ritual. The ritual began near the cave of Lupercal on the Palatine, an area sacred to Faunus, as well as Ruminia, Romulus and Remus. During Lupercalia, Vestal Virgins first made offerings of sacred cakes to the fig tree under which the she-wolf suckled the Sacred Twins. A dog and two goats were then offered in sacrifice to Faunus. The blood of the sacrifice was smeared onto two naked patrician youths, who were assisted by the Virgins, and the blood was wiped clean with sacred wool dipped in milk. The youths donned the skins of the sacrificial goats, wielding whips made from the goat skins, and then led the priests and the Virgins around the pomarium, and around the base hills of Rome. This was a ceremony of great happiness and merriment, and was of particular interest to young women: being touched by the goat-whips young men that led the procession ensured their fertility in the coming year. It is believed that, after the initial rite, male participants would draw the name of an available maiden, with whom he spent the rest of the night. This scent is for the Luperci, the Chosen of Faunus, the Brothers of the Wolf: raw, down and dirty patchouli, Gurjam balsam, and essence of Sampson Root sweetened with the heightened sexuality of beeswax, virile juniper, oakmoss, ambrette seed over honey and East African musk.
I only got to sniff last year's, and it smelled so sexy and masculine. On the right guy, this one is straight-up take me, take me now. On me, it might be a little much, but I definitely enjoyed the scent, and if you're a guy who can pull off the manly man thing, try this!
NIGHT'S PAVILION 2007:: Not the desperation, desolation and anguish of unrequited love, but the distant, chill and pitiless scent of the object of that doomed desire. White musk, osmanthus, Nile lily and frankincense.
On me, lily spells soap.
THE OBLATION:: A stirring blend of dianthus, French lavender, blackberry, and white honey.
Oh. Blackberry. I love blackberry scents. Love. But dammit. Lavender. Um. Reviews.
THE PERFUMED GARDEN 2007:: The Perfumed Garden for the Soul’s Recreation. This scent is based on a venerable Tunisian perfume that was used to excite the senses, inspire sensuality and inflame passion. Myrrh and Moroccan jasmine with apple peel, Indian sandalwood, myrtle, quince, citron, and thyme poured over soft musk.
Last year's was a a jasminestravaganza, so no.
RED LANTERN 2007:: A tribute to the opium den cum bawdyhouses of Shanghai in the 1930’s. Golden amber, blonde tobacco, Sudanese black coconut, rich caramel, black currant, white opium and delphinium laced with a sensual blend of Asian spice.
Last year's was cloyingly caramel on me. I like caramel for eating, but it's too much as a scent.
SMUT 2007:: Three swarthy, smutty musks sweetened with sugar and woozy with dark booze notes.
This was a tarted-up Snake Oil with a really insidious dark musk kick. I used up the imp I swapped for, and this had great lasting power. So maybe.
Panacea
ELIXIR X: GRR:: Headache relief.
ELIXIR XI: OOF:: Sinus pain relief.
ELIXIR XII: UGH:: Muscle ache relief.
I don't know that I'd neeed any of these but Grr.
Carnaval Diabolique
(Scent descriptions only.)
THE PARLIAMENT OF MONSTERS:: Dust, incense, wet tobacco, and a curl of opium smoke.
Tobacco is not going to work with me unless it's very muted.
ARACHNINA, THE SPIDER GIRL:: A swirling, hypnotic perfume of black currant, poppy, red and black musk, lilies, nicotiana, and patchouli.
Eee. This sounds like it could be so good with the black currant and poppy. I'm a little iffy on everything else, though.
ESHE, A VISION OF LIFE-IN-DEATH:: The perfume of life-in-death: embalming herbs, black myrrh, white sandalwood, black orchid, paperwhites, tomb dust, and Moroccan jasmine.
Jasmine, mine enemy.
FAIZA, THE BLACK MAMBA:: A sensual blend of twisting, exotic, serpentine oils: black amber, caraway, oakmoss, green sandalwood, bergamot, jasmine sambac, gardenia, orange pulp, vanilla, blackberry, black musk, white honey, ti leaf, and ginger.
Jasmine, gardenia, orange. Nope.
*Faints* Holy moly. For those of you who have not yet been introduced to the wonder of Snake Oil, I get so much attention whenever I wear it. Whenever I have asked any of my male friends to pick a scent from my BPAL box, every single one of them has gone for Snake Oil. It is, simply put, the sex, and BPAL's most successful scent, with reason. I often find myself layering it with other things, and now hey-- I have options! Of these, I really want to try Australian Copperhead, so long as the neroli is muted, and I definitely, definitely need Saw-Scaled Viper. I am super curious about Western Diamondback, too, because you know how I feel about leather, but then again, I can't mentally mesh leather and Snake oil. Also, Temple Viper sounds cool. OMG joy. *flails*
HOPE & FAITH, THE SIAMESE TWINS:: Simplicity and innocence, gleefully despoiled! Hope is sugared violet, Faith is sugared rose. The sisters are inseparable, and may only be purchased together. Presented in a black velveteen pouch.
These sound fabulous, actually. I love the scent of sugared violets, and rose is one of the rare florals that works for me.
ISAAC, THE LIVING SKELETON:: Bourbon, tobacco, dry bone, bay rum aftershave, and sleazy cologne.
Not for me, thanks.
KATANIYA, THE CLOCKWORK WOMAN:: Gentle flowers over hot metal, shocked to life with electricity.
You know, if anyone can capture hot metal in oil form, Beth can. I probably won't want to wear this one, but I am really curious about it.
MESKHENET, THE VULTURE MAIDEN:: Frankincense, hyssop, hibiscus, river reeds, orris root, palm frond, and olibanum.
Probably a little too dry for my tastes, but omg, the artwork on this one is to die for!
THALASSA, THE GALAPAGOS MERMAID:: Seaweed, kelp, salty ocean spray, bitter almond, night-blooming jasmine, frankincense, and benzoin.
Aquatics generally aren't my thing.
TIRESIAS, THE ANDROGYNE:: Dark, moody, and bittersweet: black currant, patchouli, tobacco, cinnamon leaf, caramel, muguet, and red sandalwood.
This sounds neat. But caramel. Ptooey.
THE WILD MEN OF JEZIRAT AL TENNYN:: Fiery, primal, and precociously diabolical: red amber, Spanish moss, Indonesian patchouli, ambergris, red pepper, two cloves, and vanilla flower.
Hmm. This would probably smell great on a guy.
WULRIC, THE WOLFMAN:: Friendly, charming, and cuddly, but possessing one hell of a mean streak: cocoa absolute, French vanilla, birch tar, lavender, bourbon vetiver, wild musk, clary sage, and cistus.
This reads like a roll-call of notes I run from.
ZARITA, THE DOLL GIRL:: Soft, yet sociopathic: white carnation, iris, orange blossom, and sugared cream.
Sounds like an orange Creme Saver. I'll be interested in reading the reviews.
PRIALA, THE HUMAN PHOENIX:: Three deep, dark myrrhs, smoke, and cinnamon bark.
Ooh, sexy. Again, reviews.
So, to recap:
Yes! Yes! -- Abhisarika, Svadhinaopatika, Saw-Scaled Viper
Probably! Probably! -- Bakeneko, Vasakasajja, Luperci 2007, Smut 2007, The Oblation, Arachnina, Australian Copperhead, Temple Viper, Western Diamondback, Hope & Faith, Priada.
And there are bath goodies comin' down the pike. Man, they know how to knock a girl dead.
It's a combination of things: the cold wind this morning (note to self: hat!), this week's depletion of my body's iron, and probably a little low blood sugar tossed in there, too. I didn't sleep particularly well last night, either. It took me nearly an hour to fall asleep, and when I did, I kept having fever dreams, including one where I was in a movie theater at the bottom of the ocean (?) and we were being attacked by great white sharks and some new species of super scary shark called a black gun shark. You know, I honestly have no clue where my dreams come from. At any rate, I have a headache that's comprised of more uncomfortable lightheadedness than I would like. Maybe it's an extremely delayed hangover. Regardless, I think I'm going to stop somewhere for dinner tonight, as my body's doing its montly calling out for rare red meat thing.
In other news, holy BPAL update, Batman! I think I'll probably hem and haw until my next paycheck, but this is certainly the update that is breaking my nearly four-month no-buying streak.
Hunger Moon
HUNGER MOON:: When Hunger Moon hangs high in the sky, the fields are frozen, and game is piteously scarce. Sleet covers the ground, and biting winds chill to the bone. This is a quiet, cold perfume: desolate and despairing. It is a clear night sky that and bracing chill wind that bears the promise of snow, sharpened by the pain of hunger, and the sharp, rasping stab of thirst. Ozone, white sandalwood, crystallized white amber, verbena, oakmoss, clary sage, and a hint of white citrus rind.
Probably not. None of these notes particularly wow me.
BAKENEKO:: In sharp contrast to the stark sterility of Hunger Moon, we present a carnivorous chaotic charmer: the bakeneko. The Monster Cat is a shapeshifter, and is empowered to take the form of a beautiful woman (to entice lonely gentlemen) or a winsome young maiden (to the peril of childless couples). Though some bakeneko are benevolent, and only wish to find someone to care for them, or to show gratitude to a mortal that has done them a great service, others are furry balls of malevolent mayhem. Their mischief ranges from simply destructive -- knocking over lamps and destroying property, tossing ghostly, freezing fireballs from their hands -- to horrifying acts of carnage. Warm amber musk, Satsuma tangerine, black tea leaf, cardamom, cherry blossom and cinnamon.
Amber, check. Cinnamon, check. Cardamom, check. But cherry blossom, tea, and satsuma? All things I like, but how will these all blend?
Ashtanyika: The Faces of the Heroine
Nyika is the quintessential Woman In Love, and the Ashtanyika encompasses the Eight Faces of the Heroine. In Indian art, she is both the inamorata and the priestess, and her dance is the dance of the earthbound heart and the unchained spirit. In allegory, her consort can be interpreted as both a mortal man and as Deity, the latter illustrating, beautifully and lyrically, the many facets of mankind’s relationship with his or her faith.
ABHISARIKA:: She boldly goes forth to meet her lover, heedless of propriety, intoxicated by love, and radiant with youthful, innocent passion: Damascus rose, African orchid, cream accord, and Kashmir musk.
Yes. I don't really do florals, with the exception of rose, orchid, and some white flowers. But with the addition of cream, this could be absolutely fabulous.
KALAHANTARIKA:: She regrets her harsh words, spoken thoughtlessly, which caused a quarrel that divided her from her lover: hyssop, lavender, balsam of Peru, jonquil, and elemi.
The only time I ever want to smell like lavender is right before bedtime.
KHANDITA:: She, whose lover has been unfaithful. She lashes out in rage, and her heart is filled with fury: fiery saffron, neroli, severe black musk, rose otto, and a harsh splinter of rosemary.
Eee, probably a little too harsh for me. Plus, the dreaded neroli.
PROSHITAPATHIKA:: Her lover is away on a long journey, and she is pining for him. Sleepless and disconsolate, she counts the days until he returns: blue iris, fennel, dark musk, verbena, and a drop of star anise.
Sounds prettily blue. I'll wait for the reviews.
SVADHINAOPATIKA:: Proud, contented, and aglow with joy, she has conquered her lover with her charms, and she knows with all her soul that he is completely and utterly devoted to her. In bliss, she basks in the blessings of the God of Love: golden amber, oude, red sandalwood, massoia bark, honey, and currant.
Oh yes. This has got all the markings of a scent that will be wonderful on me. Plus, currant!
VASAKASAJJA:: Dressed seductively and sumptuously, reclining in a bed strewn with glorious, sensual blooms, she awaits the arrival of her lover. Her breath is quick with anticipation, and her cheeks are flushed with passion: skin musk, wild orchid, champaca flower, amaranth, tonka bean, and French vanilla.
This could go either way, because tonka has a tendency to oversweeten a scent that would ordinarily be light and airy and perfect. I'll wait for the reviews on this one.
VIRAHOTKANTITA:: The Wilted One. She who is separated from her lover, and because of the distance between them, she suffers from loneliness, longing, and sorrow: blue lilac, snowdrop, bergamot, night-blooming cereus, frankincense, Himalayan cedar, and stargazer lily.
Hmm. Maybe? This isn't something I'd jump for, but I'd be interested in reading the reviews. Plus, I don't know how keen I am on wearing something that screams lonliness and desolation, you know?
VIPRALABDA:: She is tearful and dejected: her lover has broken a promise, and did not arrive for their tryst. She feels that she has been deceived, and her heart is volleyed from misery, to anger, to resentment: benzoin, Greek sage, hay, melaleuca ericifolia, oakmoss, and blue chamomile.
This sounds really soft. Herbal, understated, clean. Also, likely to fade within ten seconds. Probably not.
Lupercalia
DOLCE STIL NUOVO:: Love always finds shelter in the gentle heart. Dolce Stil Nuovo is a 13th & 14th century Florentine literary style that celebrates love and womanhood through heartfelt, delicate, and melodious sonnets, ballate, and canzones. This is fin’amor, Courtly Love, in its most moving form, and the emotions that these words express reflect love that both spiritual and idealized. Within this literary movement, earthly love reaches for the Divine. Our interpretation of Dolce Stil Nuovo is a blend of rose otto, carnation, vanilla flower, lavender and jasmine with the clarity of crystalline white musk and the warmth of golden amber.
Lavender and jasmine make this one a no-go.
CHINTAMANI-DHUPA:: Pound well together sandal-wood, Kunku, costus, Krishnaguru, Suvasika-puspha, white vala and the bark of the Deodaru pine; and, after reducing them to fine powder, mix it with honey and thoroughly dry. It is now known as Chintamani-Dhupa, the "thought-mastering incense". If a little of this be used according to the ceremonies prescribed, he who employs it will make all the world submissive to him. A fumigation for fascination! A strangely sensual blend, exotic, compelling, and commanding, adapted from an incense recipe found in the venerable sex manual, the Ananga Ranga.
I have no idea what this will likely smell like, so unless I read glowing reviews, no.
KANISHTA:: The Other Woman. The scent of dark desire, heady with intrigue, shadowy with deception: black opium, Haitian patchouli, jasmine sambac, French magnolia and kush.
Too heavy and floral.
KHAJURAHO 2007:: The fabled Khajuraho temples of India are shrines of love in all its myriad forms. They are a celebration of love itself – transcendental, spiritual and erotic. This is a rejection of sorrow, spiritual ennui and despair. The sexual motifs that adorn the temples, and the temples themselves, are monuments to ecstasy and to passion, and through that, they are also monuments to spiritual fulfillment. It is believed that the realization of moksha by dedicating oneself to adhyatma and dharma can be attained only by first experiencing sexual satisfaction. In the midst of the drudgery and struggle that we sometimes endure during the course of our Earthly lives, it is vitally important that we remember the joy found in kama, and that in kama we can achieve transformation of the body and soul. This is a blissful, euphoric blend based on an ancient Indian love potion: honey, date palm, tuberose, davana blossom, amber, white sandalwood, vanilla bean, Damask rose, and champaca flower.
Last year's Kajuraho was blindingly harsh sandalwood, and didn't soften with my chemistry the way it did with others'. Pass.
LUPERCI 2007:: Piss off, Saint Valentine! Lupercalia is an ancient Roman celebration, held on February 15th, that kicked in the advent of Spring with a very, very festive purification, fertility and sexuality ritual. The ritual began near the cave of Lupercal on the Palatine, an area sacred to Faunus, as well as Ruminia, Romulus and Remus. During Lupercalia, Vestal Virgins first made offerings of sacred cakes to the fig tree under which the she-wolf suckled the Sacred Twins. A dog and two goats were then offered in sacrifice to Faunus. The blood of the sacrifice was smeared onto two naked patrician youths, who were assisted by the Virgins, and the blood was wiped clean with sacred wool dipped in milk. The youths donned the skins of the sacrificial goats, wielding whips made from the goat skins, and then led the priests and the Virgins around the pomarium, and around the base hills of Rome. This was a ceremony of great happiness and merriment, and was of particular interest to young women: being touched by the goat-whips young men that led the procession ensured their fertility in the coming year. It is believed that, after the initial rite, male participants would draw the name of an available maiden, with whom he spent the rest of the night. This scent is for the Luperci, the Chosen of Faunus, the Brothers of the Wolf: raw, down and dirty patchouli, Gurjam balsam, and essence of Sampson Root sweetened with the heightened sexuality of beeswax, virile juniper, oakmoss, ambrette seed over honey and East African musk.
I only got to sniff last year's, and it smelled so sexy and masculine. On the right guy, this one is straight-up take me, take me now. On me, it might be a little much, but I definitely enjoyed the scent, and if you're a guy who can pull off the manly man thing, try this!
NIGHT'S PAVILION 2007:: Not the desperation, desolation and anguish of unrequited love, but the distant, chill and pitiless scent of the object of that doomed desire. White musk, osmanthus, Nile lily and frankincense.
On me, lily spells soap.
THE OBLATION:: A stirring blend of dianthus, French lavender, blackberry, and white honey.
Oh. Blackberry. I love blackberry scents. Love. But dammit. Lavender. Um. Reviews.
THE PERFUMED GARDEN 2007:: The Perfumed Garden for the Soul’s Recreation. This scent is based on a venerable Tunisian perfume that was used to excite the senses, inspire sensuality and inflame passion. Myrrh and Moroccan jasmine with apple peel, Indian sandalwood, myrtle, quince, citron, and thyme poured over soft musk.
Last year's was a a jasminestravaganza, so no.
RED LANTERN 2007:: A tribute to the opium den cum bawdyhouses of Shanghai in the 1930’s. Golden amber, blonde tobacco, Sudanese black coconut, rich caramel, black currant, white opium and delphinium laced with a sensual blend of Asian spice.
Last year's was cloyingly caramel on me. I like caramel for eating, but it's too much as a scent.
SMUT 2007:: Three swarthy, smutty musks sweetened with sugar and woozy with dark booze notes.
This was a tarted-up Snake Oil with a really insidious dark musk kick. I used up the imp I swapped for, and this had great lasting power. So maybe.
Panacea
ELIXIR X: GRR:: Headache relief.
ELIXIR XI: OOF:: Sinus pain relief.
ELIXIR XII: UGH:: Muscle ache relief.
I don't know that I'd neeed any of these but Grr.
Carnaval Diabolique
(Scent descriptions only.)
THE PARLIAMENT OF MONSTERS:: Dust, incense, wet tobacco, and a curl of opium smoke.
Tobacco is not going to work with me unless it's very muted.
ARACHNINA, THE SPIDER GIRL:: A swirling, hypnotic perfume of black currant, poppy, red and black musk, lilies, nicotiana, and patchouli.
Eee. This sounds like it could be so good with the black currant and poppy. I'm a little iffy on everything else, though.
ESHE, A VISION OF LIFE-IN-DEATH:: The perfume of life-in-death: embalming herbs, black myrrh, white sandalwood, black orchid, paperwhites, tomb dust, and Moroccan jasmine.
Jasmine, mine enemy.
FAIZA, THE BLACK MAMBA:: A sensual blend of twisting, exotic, serpentine oils: black amber, caraway, oakmoss, green sandalwood, bergamot, jasmine sambac, gardenia, orange pulp, vanilla, blackberry, black musk, white honey, ti leaf, and ginger.
Jasmine, gardenia, orange. Nope.
The Snake Pit:
ASP VIPER: Snake Oil with red mandarin, myrrh, and almond.
AUSTRALIAN COPPERHEAD: Snake Oil with acai berry, amber, cardamom, neroli, and smoked vanilla.
BANDED SEA SNAKE: Snake Oil with oakmoss, sea moss, and olive leaf.
BOOMSLANG: Snake Oil with cocoa, teakwood, and rice milk.
CORAL SNAKE: Snake Oil with blood orange, red apple, lemon peel, plumeria, and gardenia.
COTTONMOUTH: Snake Oil with linden blossom, calla lily, passion flower, and narcissus.
DEATH ADDER: Snake Oil with vetiver, black coconut, vanilla, and opoponax.
GREEN TREE VIPER: Snake Oil with four mints, bergamot, and green tea.
HABU: Snake Oil with ho wood, teak, black musk, and bamboo.
KING COBRA: Snake Oil with orris, frankincense, and copal.
SAW-SCALED VIPER: Snake Oil with cinnamon, cassia, and red ginger.
TEMPLE VIPER: Snake Oil with sugar cane, frankincense, champaca, opoponax, labdanum, and hyssop.
WESTERN DIAMONDBACK: Snake Oil with leather, tonka bean, red sandalwood, and sage.
*Faints* Holy moly. For those of you who have not yet been introduced to the wonder of Snake Oil, I get so much attention whenever I wear it. Whenever I have asked any of my male friends to pick a scent from my BPAL box, every single one of them has gone for Snake Oil. It is, simply put, the sex, and BPAL's most successful scent, with reason. I often find myself layering it with other things, and now hey-- I have options! Of these, I really want to try Australian Copperhead, so long as the neroli is muted, and I definitely, definitely need Saw-Scaled Viper. I am super curious about Western Diamondback, too, because you know how I feel about leather, but then again, I can't mentally mesh leather and Snake oil. Also, Temple Viper sounds cool. OMG joy. *flails*
HOPE & FAITH, THE SIAMESE TWINS:: Simplicity and innocence, gleefully despoiled! Hope is sugared violet, Faith is sugared rose. The sisters are inseparable, and may only be purchased together. Presented in a black velveteen pouch.
These sound fabulous, actually. I love the scent of sugared violets, and rose is one of the rare florals that works for me.
ISAAC, THE LIVING SKELETON:: Bourbon, tobacco, dry bone, bay rum aftershave, and sleazy cologne.
Not for me, thanks.
KATANIYA, THE CLOCKWORK WOMAN:: Gentle flowers over hot metal, shocked to life with electricity.
You know, if anyone can capture hot metal in oil form, Beth can. I probably won't want to wear this one, but I am really curious about it.
MESKHENET, THE VULTURE MAIDEN:: Frankincense, hyssop, hibiscus, river reeds, orris root, palm frond, and olibanum.
Probably a little too dry for my tastes, but omg, the artwork on this one is to die for!
THALASSA, THE GALAPAGOS MERMAID:: Seaweed, kelp, salty ocean spray, bitter almond, night-blooming jasmine, frankincense, and benzoin.
Aquatics generally aren't my thing.
TIRESIAS, THE ANDROGYNE:: Dark, moody, and bittersweet: black currant, patchouli, tobacco, cinnamon leaf, caramel, muguet, and red sandalwood.
This sounds neat. But caramel. Ptooey.
THE WILD MEN OF JEZIRAT AL TENNYN:: Fiery, primal, and precociously diabolical: red amber, Spanish moss, Indonesian patchouli, ambergris, red pepper, two cloves, and vanilla flower.
Hmm. This would probably smell great on a guy.
WULRIC, THE WOLFMAN:: Friendly, charming, and cuddly, but possessing one hell of a mean streak: cocoa absolute, French vanilla, birch tar, lavender, bourbon vetiver, wild musk, clary sage, and cistus.
This reads like a roll-call of notes I run from.
ZARITA, THE DOLL GIRL:: Soft, yet sociopathic: white carnation, iris, orange blossom, and sugared cream.
Sounds like an orange Creme Saver. I'll be interested in reading the reviews.
PRIALA, THE HUMAN PHOENIX:: Three deep, dark myrrhs, smoke, and cinnamon bark.
Ooh, sexy. Again, reviews.
So, to recap:
Yes! Yes! -- Abhisarika, Svadhinaopatika, Saw-Scaled Viper
Probably! Probably! -- Bakeneko, Vasakasajja, Luperci 2007, Smut 2007, The Oblation, Arachnina, Australian Copperhead, Temple Viper, Western Diamondback, Hope & Faith, Priada.
And there are bath goodies comin' down the pike. Man, they know how to knock a girl dead.