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But first let me digress with a small heart-felt "so long" to one of the people on the Net with whom I felt close to, even though we had never met in the flesh.
Gaia, the Non Blonde, is no longer with us, due to a sudden heart emergency this past November...My heart sank when I heard the news. So young, so lovely, so loved...
Gaia Fishler, like her name probably foreshadowed, was a wonderful human being, a woman of genuine glamour and great taste, perfume and otherwise, and a beacon of truthfulness on the internet; a quality which became all the more appreciated in the tsunami of influencers that followed. There was no makeup and grooming advice I didn't take from her religiously; she was meticulous in her search and practical in her pursuits. Her demise is most unfortunate and she will be sorely missed. My glass is raised in loving and respectful memory.
And there you go. More mundane and practical stuff follows. You've been warned.
READING
The Balkans are a very complicated geopolitical region, a crossroads in Europe. Mark Mazower is the historian to turn to, and his The Balkans: A Short History is my go-to when addressing those issues.
And in a desperate effort to declutter (my library, as well as my house and my life) I turn to Marie Kondo's infamous book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy. Let's see; will it cure my unstoppable accumulation habits? I'll faithfully report back!
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WRITING
Among the things I wrote lately are two articles on fragrance ingredients interweaving into producing something different than expected (Fragrance Maturation, How Does it Work?) and whether tester bottles really do contain different juice than actual merchandise (the short answer is no).
The section of my articles in Greek is also growing strongly, check it out on THIS LINK.
Furthermore I'm hoping to organise my thoughts better during the holiday season and start writing my secret project in earnest. You'll be duly notified. ;)
SCENTING
Revisiting some good ol' designer fragrances (which can be equal to niche sometimes) and pondering on which masculine fragrances set my heart aflutter. (great gift options, mmm, I'm looking at you baby).
Starting to wear the Vetiver Oriental bottle I bought in the early fall in anticipation of cooler days. The scent of Lutens' Vetiver itself is perfect for wet weather. I also want to wear Cuir Intense by Guerlain, an exclusive perfume circulating at the boutique circuit.
Discovering Max Factor's Blasé eau de toilette, as well, thanks to the scented fairy. I'm also getting the Habanita out for those longer winter nights...
STYLING
Unusually warm and wet weather means that gabardine trench coats and light jackets get maximum wear. A soft wrap in cashmere wool suffices for neck warmth and cool draughts. I like this fringed one in eggplant.
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GROOMING
Thanks to a fellow perfume enthusiast I discovered the merits of Nyx Professional Doll Eye Mascara in the Lengthening formula (there's a Volumising too, but I think that defeats the purpose, doesn't it?). It does make for dolly eyes, so very pretty and fanned out it hurts. Individually separated and nicely smooth without smudging. It washes off easily too, a big plus as I don't like tugging at my delicate hairs.
EATING & DRINKING
It's the season for those delicious spicy honey-dipped cookies with the sprinkled walnuts and cinnamon on top, melomakarona; they're looming out everywhere (yup, even in your corner of the world, I'm telling you, they're everywhere!), beckoning us to bite, and I'm dreading the scales! But if you're braver than me, here's a recipe for you.
LISTENING
In my quest for soundtracks I revisited a cult movie from 1982, based on a cult comic book, that more or less "made" Arnold Swatzenegger the star that he became. Before the demystifying I suppose. No matter, the music by Basil Poledouris is sublime.
