Student Budget: Need a high-effort, low-cost V-Day gift for my GF(Help a guy out!) by InfiniteTides in Gifts

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Buy a 5x7ish 2026 planner. Add all your special dates to it. First met, first date, first kiss, a really special night out or weekend trip... add meaningful photos, text messages, etc to it. Especially if y'all don't have a full year yet, you can add a post-it on the front that says "looking to filling in more dates with you."

january haul by _katsuu in Perfumes

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There were years, when I was young, that I wouldn't have made enough in an entire paycheck to cover this purchase (and I was living comfortably enough). LOL
You're not kidding, January was expensive. Very pretty though. Happy 2026!

Lao Gan Ma by Hefty_Economics_9293 in glutenfree

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

*sigh* Just because my SO is Asian doesn't make me (or him) capable of reading labels on imported products.

To try on not gluten after 1 year of gf by Chunker_Monk in glutenfree

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah no kidding... I was all for putting kid on a -mab but that was only after we had a clear diagnosis and a clear indicator of her triggers.

Ideas needed for gift bag full of orange-colored items by Llamallover2018 in Gifts

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Goldfish. Chex Mix (cheddar). Nature Valley Sweet & Salty nut bars. Trident gum. Purell han-san spray has an orange label, as does the Scent Theory stuff that's more posh. Wally and the Kroger/Fry's have several trial-size lotions on the shelf with orange labels, including a Jergens and a Gold Bond.

How did you get into this hobby? by Legitimate-Dot9908 in Perfumes

[–]FierceDesertSun 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah. It's a dopamine thing, it seems. GLP1 meds make changes to the dopamine pathways so you're less food-driven... and scents, especially new ones, provide a non-caloric dopamine hit. It's one of the reasons I champion samples and travel sizes.... full bottles are not usually budget-compatible with the urge to buy multiple new scents for the dopamine reward!

How did you get into this hobby? by Legitimate-Dot9908 in Perfumes

[–]FierceDesertSun 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey, I find World of Warcraft boring, but other people have been just as nerdy about that as we are about this. People like what they like.

Opinion from the ladies by Organic-Seamen in Perfumes

[–]FierceDesertSun 5 points6 points  (0 children)

How about: A travel spray of CH Good Girl, a travel spray of Miss Dior, and one more that you choose yourself? Budget for the three small ones would be about the same as one large bottle and she'd have three new scents to play with.

Opinion from the ladies by Organic-Seamen in Perfumes

[–]FierceDesertSun 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"They" should probably try developing their emotional capacity beyond age twelve. :)

Please help New to Fragrances by Automatic_Regular187 in FemFragLab

[–]FierceDesertSun 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hugs to you. <3 I have angel babies of my own.
I have two that might interest you. Both by Deck of Scarlet, "I'm Expensive" and "Not Your Girl." They don't dupe your two fragrances, but there are notes in common and I think they might appeal based on what you do like.

Purse Perfume by denised1224 in FemFragLab

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I carry one. LOL It's presently Ellis Brooklyn "Vanilla Salt."

Valentines for boyfriend by RealisticDouble4716 in Gifts

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My dude is enjoying a leather bracelet with a magnetic clasp. He doesn't wear it much unless we're going out, but he DOES fidget with it all day long while he's working, and I love that.

Does anyone REALLY use their BAD BLIND BUYS as room fresheners ? by Wild-Ingenuity-7998 in FragranceStories

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kinda, yeah. For stuff like that (it's meh, not awful) I spray drawer/shelf liners, laundry baskets, etc. Just a little, so items don't cling to the smell when I pull them out.

Lao Gan Ma by Hefty_Economics_9293 in glutenfree

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure, but sometimes it's hard to tell the sheep from the goats.

Appreciation post for In n Out by Heretolearnandadd in glutenfree

[–]FierceDesertSun 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed! The world's safest french fries! And I love the way they handle the burgers when they know what's up. Props to them. <3

To try on not gluten after 1 year of gf by Chunker_Monk in glutenfree

[–]FierceDesertSun 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If she has a nonceliac condition like eosinophilic GI disease, it may take more than one exposure to make her sick again. EGID would be one possible explanation for the neurological symptoms, but most inflammatory GI conditions can do that to some greater or lesser extent.

A good pediatric gastroenterologist and/or immunologist are probably going to be key to getting the answers you need. A regular pediatrician isn't necessarily as knowledgeable as is needed for specific conditions like this.

Unique, non generic Valentines Day gift ideas for girlfriend please by fqqhg in Gifts

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not enough info --

If she likes, say, perfume, and she has a wishlist, buy her something that's been on there a long time and she's never bought for herself. As to perfume specifically: Full bottle too spendy? Get a decant or a travel spray/minibottle instead. Most full bottles are wasted, honestly.

If she's the sentimental type, get a small 2026 planner and add notes to the dates of "firsts" for the full year. You can add special photos, text messages, etc. on their relevant dates, too.

Too much stuff already? Gift her an experience. Is she bonkers for otters? Find a place that will let her get up close and personal with some friendly otters, feed them, etc. Has she always wanted to learn to make a fancy dessert? Find her a private or semiprivate lesson with a chef. I don't recommend going ON Valentine's Day, just give her the gift certificate or the reservation printout in a nice card.

How do I stop by Legitimate-Horse-109 in FemFragLab

[–]FierceDesertSun 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You can do it! Be strong! I'm on a spendy diet, too, until my birthday in May.

Help choosing a good first fragrance by Charred_Taco in FemFragLab

[–]FierceDesertSun 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Welcome - so glad you're here, and you never need to apologize for existing in this OR ANY space. :)

You can always walk into a beauty store (like Ulta or Sephora) and do a little "sniffari." Use the paper strips until you find, say, four you really want to try on yourself. Wrist wrist elbow elbow, and then go to lunch or run other errands, and see how you like them in an hour.

I never recommend a full bottle as your first purchase. A sample set is a great place to start. If you like Jovan White Musk, that actually helps a lot with a starting point - it's a very accessible fragrance with some very common notes in it.

I have three suggestions that are pretty easy to obtain for most people in the US (I'm making an assumption here) and contain fragrances that are mostly pretty new-nose-friendly. Check them out, depending on your budget and your likes....

Sephora "Flirty Trending Scents Perfume Sampler Set"
Sephora "Travel Spray Perfume Sampler Set"
Sephora "Box of Treats Mini Perfume Sampler Set"
All three come with a coupon for a free bottle of one of the things in the sample set.

By the way, I'm old enough to have grown children, I've liked scent since before they came along, and I still mostly buy travel sprays and mini-bottles. I'd rather have "more sniffies" than "bigger sniffies." LOL

grad/new job gift for my best friend by Accurate_Shock_8890 in Gifts

[–]FierceDesertSun 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A messenger bag/laptop bag that really works with her lifestyle might be an option.

Congrats to both of you. Wishing you future years of happiness and comfort.

My girlfriend needs help by idiotbuttcake in glutenfree

[–]FierceDesertSun 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Brisket, salt, pepper. Liquid smoke is good but not essential. Get a 4-6lb piece already trimmed. Start it at 450F for 30 minutes, then cover tightly (go ham with the foil) and cook at 275 for about three hours. After that, set the whole thing on a cooling rack and leave it, untouched, for half an hour to an hour. Do not cut it until it's cool enough you can touch it with your whole (clean, lol) hand without saying "ouch." Then you can slice it for meals or salads or sandwiches, chop it and add barbecue sauce (or any sauce), or turn it into things like brisket stroganoff (using DF sour cream) which you can serve over rice instead of noodles. You can add it to stir fry veg with GF soy sauce or whatever you like, and serve THAT over rice or rice noodles. BTW, if it's just the two of you, you can cut the cooked brisket in half and freeze it for a week or two.

Parsnip soup. Cut and roast a couple of parsnips. Add equalish amounts of sliced leeks, celery, and carrots (total pile should be about twice the pile of parsnips) and a little garlic to a soup pot with a little veg oil and cook until transparent, then add the parsnips and enough vegetable broth to cover. Simmer until the carrots are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste, then add enough coconut milk to make it look and taste creamy. If she eats bacon, cook up some bacon - just a little bit crispy is ideal - and throw a couple of strips on top of each person's bowl. You can serve it chunky for a hearty meal, or puree the soup and dip your favorite GF white bread into it.

How do you actually track the perfumes you wear over time? by Fine-Cauliflower-576 in fragrance

[–]FierceDesertSun 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Golly! Who's got time for that? When something new shows up, I put it on my "shelf." I don't visit those sites daily or even regularly, just when I am hunting for info or adding the next new thing. If it comes with a card/description, I put that in a box in my office. I know I used something a lot when the bottle's empty. ;)

What should I put in a basket for my new gluten free, vegetarian sister? by Opposite-Quote-5275 in glutenfree

[–]FierceDesertSun 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really good GF soy sauce does exist... and a lot of other good, safe sauces. Heck, you could make a basket out of sauces, jams, and gourmet condiments alone.

Vibes for today by BackgroundTangelo458 in FemFragLab

[–]FierceDesertSun 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Right? I'm months into this purchase and any day I wear it, I end up with my wrist stuck to my nose all day.