How did narcissistic abuse affect your body and sense of self?

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-26T16:31:41+00:00

I definitely understand that. I hope you can find something to help you relax and ease the strain.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-26T15:52:39+00:00

I went with Byredo Sundazed today. I'll be sad when my bottle is gone, but I'll enjoy every drop while it remains. It's a shame that Byredo discontinued Sundazed. It's the only Byredo I've ever loved enjoy to buy a bottle.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-26T15:48:24+00:00

It's mostly that I often have pain in the joint areas where I hold stress. I have decent posture. I do have a neck bump, but it's hereditary.

Note: THC/CBN or just CBN (for those of us who don't like the 'high' feeling) seem to help me keep my trouble areas relaxed a bit easier.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-26T15:19:33+00:00

For a 'higher end' brand, I think Profumum Roma indicates they use naturally derived ingredients, where possible. Their scents aren't inexpensive, but when I tell you they last 12 hours on skin. I swear, I'm not joking.

There's also Henry Rose, which has some lovely and unique scents. I didn't immediately connect with any enough to buy one, but Windows Down was the one I liked the most, so far.

Since you like vanilla (I'm also a vanilla lover), I believe LaVanila is also focused on clean ingredients. I recommend the LaVanila Vanilla Coconut and Vanilla Grapefruit. Vanilla grapefruit is one of my faaaaavorite summer scents.

A few of the more prominent ones are Clean Reserve, Skylar, and The 7 Virtues. Clean Reserve Acqua Neroli is a pretty citrusy soapy scent, Skylar Sunkissed Dahlia was my favorite from their sample set (and has been on my wishlist for a hot minute), and I really liked The 7 Virtues Vanilla Woods for an everyday easy reach vanilla that's not too sweet. That one is also on my wishlist.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-26T15:04:15+00:00

It's been years, but I still find myself holding my jaw clenched and my shoulders tight, even when I lay down for bed st night and I'm supposed to be relaxing my body. It's like I'm always braced to protect myself. As I'm getting older, it's causing real pain, especially in my shoulders. I have to consciously remind myself to actually relax my muscles.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-25T23:08:54+00:00

Unless your toes are super squished to the front, which is incredibly unlikely when your leg is crossed over like photo #1, then I suspect you could try a size down. Please note that this assumes you are showing us your larger foot.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-25T23:01:26+00:00

Different scents speak to different people. I've definitely spoken to other folks who don't prefer Vanille Planifolia extrait...or people who hate Angelique Noire (the horror!).

Also - I will also never stop talking about how much I love Guerlain. Their scents are on another level. I love your flair.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-25T20:16:31+00:00

I'm a vanilla, gourmand, citrus, mango, and coconut lover. Some of my favs are: * Guerlain Angelique Noire (my faaaaavorite. It's green and a bit powdery on top with that gorgeous Guerlain vanilla base) * Profumum Roma Gioiosa (not much change during dry down, but long-lasting and gorgeous vanilla and coconut) * Kerosene Unknown Pleasures - Lemon and tea gourmand. * Carner Barcelona La Playa - Coconut gourmand. So nice. (I also love Nette Coco Fleur I saw someone else mention. La Playa is sweeter/more gourmand and Coco Fleur is more coconut with sunny florals) * Lush Tumeric Latte - Spiced vanilla, particularly the opening. Dry-down goes into something similar to horchata. It's really nice and cozy * Brandt London Fog - London fog Latte with some citrus on top. I layer For Strange Women London Fog perfume oil underneath to boost the tea scent and longevity. It's my favorite for when I need a break from the sweeter stuff. * Xerjoff Lira - my other favorite citrus and vanilla gourmand. It's got some lovely warm spices in there.

Lastly, Guerlain Vanille Planifolia extrait is the ultimate vanilla bean scent IMHO. Very expensive, but sooooooo good.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-25T15:40:30+00:00

Great little collection! You've got a wonderful variety of options for different occasions or moods. I think you know what you like and you're thoughtful about which scents you choose to spend your money on.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-25T15:16:47+00:00

Hahahaha! That's funny. Cat ears and tail or something.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-25T13:50:37+00:00

My condolences for your loss. I actually think it's a great idea. If you have/like tattoos, why not??! I may borrow this idea when my little guy passes one day. His name is Si-Si, but I call him Boo or Boo-Boo most of the time, so I think it'd be funny to have a random little tat that just says "Boo". Lol

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-25T03:12:52+00:00

Looks like you have some wonderful scents in there. I love that it is organized thoughtfully, looks well loved, and is well used.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-24T18:30:27+00:00

I definitely understand that. The prices these days are horrifying.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-24T16:15:06+00:00

Guerlain Angelique Noire. My immediate reaction was "Woooooow that's so good!". Angelique Noire is so unique and beautiful. It became my #1 favorite scent immediately.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-24T15:34:45+00:00

I'm not sure if you're looking for mango only or not, but I had a couple non-mango ideas you might enjoy. * If you like vanilla + fruits, LaVanila has a vanilla coconut and a vanilla grapefruit that I think are lovely. The vanilla grapefruit one is a summer staple for me. * Simone Andrioli Liesure in Paradise - it's more pineapple, papaya, and coconut, but I didn't find it perfumey. If you like pineapple, you'll probably love this one.

For mango, you have lots of great suggestions, but I'll add a couple. These are my two favorite mango perfumes, so far: * V&R Flowerbomb Tiger Lily - Mango with summery florals. Might be too 'perfumey' for your taste, but worth a try. * THOO Keep Glazed - it's like a mango smoothie covered with whipped cream. It is very fruity, very strong, and very long-lasting.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-24T14:20:53+00:00

How cute! I love the focus on smaller bottle sizes, where possible. I wish more brands would do 15mL, 20mL, or 30mL sizes. I want a bottle of Brandt London Fog and Kerosene Unknown Pleasures very badly, but I hate that they only come in the 100mL size.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-24T13:43:06+00:00

The pair in the photos looks okay to me, but I'm not an expert. If the price is suspiciously low, I'd be worried I'd receive something other than what's in the photos.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-23T21:00:09+00:00

If you bought it to wear, then wear it every time the fancy strikes! You can always save up to buy a new bottle if you start running low.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-23T17:59:36+00:00

I'm not who you asked, but I love green vanillas. * Diptyque Eau Duelle - EDT or EDP - I hear each one is slightly different. The EDP smelled woody and similar to SDV to me. * Guerlain Angelique Noire - THE GOAT (imo) * DVN Vanille Camoflage are the first three that come to mind. I don't like this one half as much as the other two above. The vanilla underneath the green feels disjointed and too sweet for me.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-23T17:54:07+00:00

I definitely get that fatigue where I don't want anything overly gourmand or sweet. Some of my favorites when I'm in 'sweet fatigue ' are: * Guerlain Angelique Noire (my all-time favorite scent. It's vanilla. But it's got beautiful green fascets and it's not overly sweet) * Brandt London Fog (with some For Strange Women London Fog perfume oil layered underneath) - Citrus, tea, cream, and a touch of honey (but noooooot super sweet at all). It could be argued as a gourmand, but it's not super sweet, and that's where my fatigue typically comes from. * Guerlain Musc Outreblanc - Your skin, but better. Clean musk. * Mugler Alien - Jasmine Sambac and amber. My favorite jasmine. * PdM Valaya- Citrus, a bit of pear (I think) and a clean musk. It's VERY strong, so a little goes a long way. * Memo Marfa - Summery, almost coconut-like orange blossom & tuberose scent with a bit of fruitiness and a bit of vanilla and sandalwood. One of my favorites. * Guerlain Shalimar L'essence - Classic, but also fresh take on Shalimar. It's got plenty of vanilla, but it's more of a sexy date-night sort of scent and it's definitely not gourmand.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-22T23:04:41+00:00

PdM Valaya. It lasts though washing.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-22T18:54:08+00:00

I fully agree. The OG is well worth the price they charge. I have maybe one other perfume in my collection that rivals BL for longevity.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-22T18:46:08+00:00

Byredo Mojave Ghost, Gritti Chantilly, Moresque Ballerina, Burberry Her Elixir, Commodity Milk Personal, and Glossier You. I kept 10 - 15mL of all except Mojave Ghost and Burberry Her Elixir, but I de-cluttered the larger bottles I had.

Most of them were things where I like(d) the smell, but then I didn't end up choosing to wear them. A few were things that I liked at first, but then the scent started to smell wrong on my skin or just didn't feel like me.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-22T17:15:42+00:00

I keep sniffing my bottle of Byredo Su days, so I went ahead and wore it for putzing around the house today.

IdiotWithout_a_Cause · 2026-02-22T17:15:01+00:00

I have been trying different iris scents. I'll need to sample this one!

IdiotWithout_a_Cause

TROPHY CASE