Okay, I didn’t choose an unknown scent today for Advent. I confess. I knew I was going to have a tough day at work (I’ve been back for less than a week) and some difficult conversations, so I pulled out my fragrance armor: Chanel No. 19, the green witch herself. If you want to read my thoughts on it, please click on the link and it will take you to a “Scent Semantics” post from September, when I wrote about No. 19 at some length.
I’m something of a “goody two-shoes” so one might think I would identify more with the character on the left. But as we learn from “Wicked”, Glinda the Good isn’t as good as she appeared; and Elphaba isn’t as bad as she appeared. But Elphaba puts up a formidable facade, and that’s what I needed today. I think I emerged unscathed.
And you know, I always remember what a long-ago boss told me (TBH, I didn’t like him much, but he did occasionally have some good insights). He had been an airline executive in his earlier career, and he said more than once, “It’s been a good day at the office when no plane has crashed.” He’s right. No planes crashed, or were at risk, in my job today. Onward to the holidays!
Two of my three kids are home for the holidays, yay! One is still in college, so he’ll be with us well into January. The other is fully independent, but arrived today and will stay at least through Boxing Day. The third, another fully independent young adult, will arrive on Thursday. It’s really great to have them home, even just for a short while; they make us laugh. We will go to a friend and neighbor’s house on Thursday evening for an informal holiday party in their backyard, which will really put me in the holiday spirit. I’ll get back on track with the Guerlain samples tomorrow!
Meanwhile, I am mulling over what scent(s) I want to wear on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. I do have Caron’s Nuit de Noel, always a good option. I really like the gingerbread accord and spices in ELDO’s Like This. I also have a set of small sizes of Jo Malone’s special Christmas scents, like Orange Bitters and White Moss & Snowdrop. Fille en Aiguilles would be suitable, as well as Nuit Étoilèes, if I want evergreen vibes. Any suggestions for those three occasions? What will you wear?
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 
i think i will wear Fille en aiguilles for christmas eve, the incense will be calming for my nerves, much needed for my mothers constant nagging
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I have complete empathy about mother’s constant complaining. May you find much needed earplugs in your cracker ; )
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Will you be at her home or yours? Is there anywhere you can retreat to, for a break? Maybe a LONG walk. Or two. Or three. In a pinch, you might be able to say you’ve been exposed to COVID and have to quarantine! I offer you the same saying I’ve just offered alityke, in reference to a difficult mother: “Bless her heart.”
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At her home, she refuses to visit me. I will try to be nice, but its hard wirk sometimes
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Totally understand! I’ve been there. Sending you patience and fortitude. 🙂
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I hear you! Bon courage, as the French say.
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Are we related? More likely our mothers are!
My brother believed I was the villain until he had to take over caring for her. Now he knows.
I still need to develop his self preservation streak though. When she over does it, he gets up & goes!
Are you staying over?
Good luck, I shall be thinking of you & sending good wishes x
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Good luck with Mum.
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Enjoy having your family together for the celebrations.
Whatever scent you decide on you will smell fabulous!
I’m spending part of my one free day before Christmas with mum in the Care Home. After everything she did to get in there, guess what? She hates it! Says she’s going home & doesn’t need caring for.
I think I’ll apply No 19 with a heavy hand. I’ll need a life’s supply of patience to get through today without telling her some home truths!
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There’s a saying here in the American South, usually delivered with a mix of irritation and pity that borders on condescension, when describing someone’s bad behavior to a third party: “Bless her heart.” I bequeathed it to you, to use as often as you need!
Seriously, that is maddening. I’m so sorry! I hope you have a lifetime supply of No. 19.
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Only the EdT but needs must!
Thank you, I accept you kind suggestion with glee x
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Do you have any place you can go to scream out loud? It certainly seems like you need such a place. Hope the universe sends you strength and patience.
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I will visit mum on Christmas Day at the Care Home. DH should be home from hospital on Friday after chemo no4. We arranged for our younger son to visit last weekend & our elder son is visiting for DH’s birthday on 12th Night. DH won’t be up for much over the week after his chemo so whilst Christmas isn’t quite cancelled it is scaled right back
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You both deserve some peace & quiet.
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Wishing you and your husband a great holiday and hope the treatment works
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GAH! No 19 will conquer.
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No. 19 is quite a sneaky little thing, isn’t it? On the outside, all kittenish, on the inside, roaring like a lion. A little bottle of the extrait is the only perfume want I’m experiencing. Some day. I’m going to my in-laws for Christmas Day, a big gathering this year as time is slipping away from my f-i-l. I just might wear No.19, might help me cope with the craziness.
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I picked up my son yesterday, happy to have him home too. He goes back January 16. I will probably wear DSH Dark Moon for Christmas. Dawn describes it as a chocolate chypre. It’s yummy. I’m still going with random picks, but today’s mini wouldn’t spray so I’ll pick something else when I get home from the dentist…
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That must have been tough to return to work so close to the holidays. Glad it went ok. Reading previous comments, I also used to hear “bless her/his/your heart” from a certain set of older people, but it was usually in the context of when someone had good intentions and spent a disproportionate amount of effort, almost like “poor soul!” or “so sweet!” Unless I completely misinterpreted it back then…
We are going to visit my other half’s family including some cousins we don’t know very well. It should be fun but for the possible wildcard aspect of things, I have leather and green/tart perfumes lined up, with Tom Ford Ombré Leather Parfum and L’Occitane Herbae in the mix.
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You will smell great! You’re not wrong about the usage you describe, but what I’ve learned after living in the South for 30 years (and I love so much of it), is that Southerners can deliver that phrase with a high dosage of passive aggression. It’s genius.
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I’m glad you survived your challenging day at work. No. 19 always gave me strength on difficult work days. Thank goodness those days are over! I’ll probably wear Nuit Etoilee on Christmas Eve, Jo Malone’s Blackberry & Bay on Christmas Day and maybe Lutens Eau de Gigembre and Malone’s Ginger Biscuit on Boxing Day, one in the morning and the other in the evening.
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You will smell great! I forgot to list Ginger Biscuit, it’s always a good choice this time of year. I have Eau de Gingembre too. Clearly I need to assemble a dresser tray of holiday scent options!
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ALL your choices for perfume sound excellent.
Glad the work went fine. Was it you having to do the tough talk or did it happen to you?
Hope the week is wonderful OH.
Portia xx
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Me initiating the talks, but one was with my boss’ boss. No stress there, lol! The others were with students who have issues.
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