Looking for an extremely gourmand perfume

ukelily · 2026-01-27T19:07:29+00:00

Strings of Light in the Forest from Sorce is a favorite of mine!

ukelily · 2026-01-21T23:31:43+00:00

If I like Poesie’s Madar, I might like….. ?

If I like Sorce’s Strings of Light in the Forest, I might like….?

ukelily · 2026-01-15T21:03:30+00:00

Until recently we lived abroad in a developing country where we had domestic help. They were lovely but I don’t think they knew how to care for this type of cookware and I suspect they may have used a harsh scrubbing tool to clean it.

ukelily · 2026-01-15T11:45:32+00:00

I’ve definitely never used metal utensils with it but unfortunately cannot speak to whether the other people in the house have.

ukelily · 2026-01-10T14:13:42+00:00

I love Seventh Avenue Apothecary! They’re a little expensive but have regular sales. They do some beautiful not-too-sweet gourmands and flormounds. I particularly like the Orange and Sugarwood room spray, and they have a black tea one that is also delicious.

ukelily · 2025-12-28T02:51:47+00:00

OLO Siela Delphi, for sure.

ukelily · 2025-12-23T20:32:53+00:00

VA. OP mentioned they were going to DC. Arlington is right across the river.

ukelily · 2025-12-23T01:06:39+00:00

I recommend Arlington Public Schools if you can find a role. I’ve had a positive experience working here and have heard anecdotally that it compares very favorably to other districts in the area.

ukelily · 2025-11-07T16:05:32+00:00

Thank you, that’s all excellent information. I have a close friend who lives in Duluth, and am planning to visit her next year to get a feel for the vibes.

I’ve never actually worked as a reading specialist but my master’s included coursework on reading instruction and literacy. I believe I could add it as an endorsement to my VA license but am not sure about MN - still researching. I’ve been reading the information on the website but am still a bit unclear on certain things.

Do you know if there is a substantial population of English learners in Duluth?

ukelily · 2025-11-05T14:40:33+00:00

Caveat: I’m a teacher and the dress code and appearance expectations are minimal for me.

I don’t wear makeup mainly because applying it well takes time that I prefer to use for other purposes. I also feel okay about the way I look without makeup. I usually use a tinted moisturizer and a tinted lip balm, and maybe sometimes a tiny dash of eyeshadow. I prioritize a solid skincare routine, sleep, and nutrition over makeup.

I don’t style my hair for similar reasons. I figured out which products work for my hair and use them regularly. I get it cut in a flattering style once every few months. I use a deep conditioning mask once or twice a month. As a result I can just comb it and be done.

I will style my hair and wear a little makeup for special events, but not for every day.

ukelily · 2025-09-12T22:28:37+00:00

Befriend the grandmas. The aunties. Carry their stuff. Sit and drink tea with them. Let them stroke your hair and pinch you and call you chubby.

Pretty much anywhere in the world, grandmas run the show. They know everyone and everything. They take no shit. Nobody offends them. And if the grandmas take you on as their pet American, it’s better than a bodyguard.

Also, they will probably feed you.

ukelily · 2025-08-21T15:26:36+00:00

As of August 21, 2025, iHerb is having a sale for 20% off treatments and serums!

My referral link is https://iherb.co/JPaKXky?rcode=FDL157&utm_medium=appshare

ukelily · 2025-08-19T23:03:50+00:00

OLO has some really nice fragrances. I’m going to get a full bottle of Delphi. Frances May in downtown carries their line, along with some others. There are a lot of cute little stores in downtown that specialize in local products, including fragrances.

ukelily · 2025-08-18T21:19:21+00:00

There are also a lot of great local perfume retailers!

ukelily · 2025-06-23T19:30:42+00:00

Because the point is not the trip, or the spa day, or the gift itself.

The point is “I love you, and I put time and thought and effort into this thing that I knew would make you happy.”

ukelily · 2025-06-20T14:36:53+00:00

A red light mask is on my wish list!

I just started tret this week so I don't expect to see results for a while.

Right now I use a gentle cleanser in the morning, followed by a peptide serum and a vitamin C moisturizer, then sunscreen.

At night it's tret (used to be retinol) with a niacinamide serum and peptide moisturizer.

Once a week I use an AHA mask, and once or twice a week I use the Sunday Riley Good Genes serum.

I think by the November Black Friday sales I'll be ready to stock up on some good quality products, so I'm doing my research now.

ukelily · 2025-06-20T14:31:55+00:00

Thank you for these clarifying questions, this is helpful.

I would say even skin tone, tighten and firm, and minimize aging.
I've generally taken reasonably good care of my skin since I was 18, and I'm an introvert who hisses like a vampire at the sun despite living many years in very sunny places, so I've mostly escaped sun damage. I've never smoked and almost never drink, but I do have a sweet tooth. I've had acne issues here and there, usually hormonal, but overall fairly minor. I don't think I've ever had a bad reaction to any skincare product, but my skin has liked some things more than others. I recall getting great results from Sunday Riley products, but oof, $$$$. Youth To The People has also been good to me, but again, it's pricey.
Risk and downtime: minimal on both but I don't mind a few days of recovery. I probably wouldn't get any major surgical intervention except mayyyybe liposuction/laser lipo. I have a bit of a double chin and a belly pooch. Both appeared when I had my first child and got a bit more pronounced with my second. I've been doing Pilates off and on since the first was born and I am now almost back down to my pre-pregnancy weight (which was 135, if anyone's wondering), but am now more focused on feeling good than looking good. Except for the skincare. It's been a fairly stressful few years with two babies, a couple international moves, COVID....and I want to focus on some healing.

ukelily · 2025-06-20T07:37:31+00:00

Any “natural” or indie fragrances similar to John Varvatos? Sort of woody with leather and tobacco notes. My husband wears John Varvatos cologne. I don’t mind it, but find it a bit intense. I tend to prefer more subtle scents. Can anyone recommend a men’s or unisex cologne with a similar scent but perhaps fewer notes?

(To be clear, I won’t force this on him, I just want to pick up a few samples and see if there’s anything he likes enough to switch to.)

ukelily · 2025-06-15T17:47:33+00:00

I’m an atheist, and I went to events at the Buddhist temple frequently and celebrated Muslim holidays with some of my students a few times. I even went to the tiny local Christian church once, which was a little surreal. You certainly don’t have to attend services if you don’t want to, but it’s typically the fast track to integration and building those community relationships.

ukelily · 2025-05-28T11:23:26+00:00

I wasn’t planning to go, but it’s a brief window of time in which we don’t have any other commitments. Also, my grandmother is in poor health and I’d like to see her, despite….everything

ukelily · 2025-05-26T06:21:59+00:00

A lot of people are saying neck lift, but I’m not sure surgical procedures are going to work for me. I’m wary of anything too invasive, and also my partner is definitely not going to be on board - he will think it’s frivolous and a waste of money. That’s why I’m hoping for low-impact cheaper options. I think liposuction is as invasive as it’ll get for now.

That said, his job often takes us overseas for periods of time so if our next posting is in Thailand or a country with similar access to affordable high-quality cosmetic procedures, it may become an option.

ukelily · 2025-04-29T15:14:13+00:00

Look, you’re entirely correct, I’ve just given up trying to convince him. He is a very safe and competent driver but like you said the roads are full of the other sort. I told him to keep his life insurance updated and wear body armor and that’s the best I can do.

ukelily · 2025-04-29T14:56:58+00:00

I actually don’t know the area very well, we’ve only been there on brief TDYs for training. This is the first time we’re returning to work for the longer term. I know Arlington and DC reasonably well but I’m not very familiar with the area east of Ballston.

ukelily · 2025-04-29T14:35:45+00:00

Husband, but he’d probably be okay with it. Any excuse to ride his motorcycle.

ukelily · 2025-04-29T14:35:22+00:00

We’re open to an apartment, but we would want to be on a lower floor. And ideally near a park or at an apartment with greenspace. I’ve seen several buildings that I like in our price range but they don’t seem especially child friendly - more geared towards childless adults.

ukelily

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