In Which I Am Being Thankful
In keeping with tomorrow's holiday spirit, let's talk about what causes us to be grateful. I am thankful for:  Commute. Because it finally gave me time to read again.Books. Because they make commute bearable. Two highlights of my reading in the last couple of months were Possession by A.S. Byatt  and Dana Tomas's Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster . The latter will confirm all the worst suspicions you had about the luxury industry and will chart the regress of "luxury" and its transformation into "mass". There is a chapter devoted to perfume, and overall it is a compelling read, and I highly recommend it. Any books you loved lately? Do share!Amouage Body and Bath line. Because it is so luxurious and so wonderfully true to the original scents (Gold and Dia), that it actually makes me see the night time moisturizing, etc. ritual as a pleasure and not as a tiresome necessity, as before. Erno Laszlo Regular Normalizer Shake-It. The best primer I have ever had, and I have had many. It gives skin an even tone, gets rid of the "shine" and keeps makeup in place. With 9 hour workdays, that is a big deal.  TV. That's right, TV. After the aforementioned 9 hours at work, all I want is mindless entertainment which would allow me Not to Think whilst lying down on a sofa in my fluffy old robe, sipping wine. Enter Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, The Girls Next Door and endless re-runs of Mad Aboud You, Friends and Midsomer Murders. What are your guilty TV pleasures?Montale White Aoud. Speaking of fluffy robes, White Aoud is, to me, an olfactory equivalent of one... and after 9 hours of constant perfume-smelling , such a familiar, comforting, non-demanding scent is just what I need. And above all I am thankful for these two:  They make it all worthwhile. |
posted by Marina |
12:03 AM
57 Comments:
This is a wonderful list...especially those two darlings at the bottom...
I am myself completely grateful for having a wonderful horse to ride through the woods....plenty of dark chocolate to eat.....very old parents who I am still able to share the holidays with...a fabulous new apartment....audiobooks, my saving grace while driving....the fact that I can still find Bal a Versaille , my absolute comfort perfume...This incredible blog where I have my voice and alot of new and interesting friends and above all,mygorgeous 20 year old son and my husband of 25 years who loves me and spoils me rotten, hot flashes and all.
Happy Thanksgiving Marina....seems that we all have much to be thankful for.
I 'm joining ranks with you and Beth...
Love those two- that's a stellar photo. Isn't she the very spit from Mama's mouth ?
Beth, I love you- we have the chocolate, the 20 yo, the hub and flashes alike.
Marinochka-
The truth is a beautiful thing...
I'm thankful for the love, support, patience, and tolerance of my friends and family;
wonderful books to read; Nature to ease a heavy heart; humor, to lighten my days and others'-
Dark chocolate and black licorice.
IFC and Sundance- for quirky movie madness;
Perfume, as Balm of Gilead and artistic expression;all the teachers strewn in my wayward path...
Bless us all- may you enjoy the fruits of your labors with those you most love.
Am grateful it's supposed to get up to the mid-70s here today - brief respite before the cold sets in. And am always grateful for books! Recently have really enjoyed Rosemary Mahoney's Down the Nile, Liu Heng's Green River Daydreams and Penelope Fitzgerald's Offshore. And am very grateful for PST and the other wonderful blogs I read each morning. Happy T'day!
Great list. And great people to be thankful for.
I'm a Brit and we don't do Thanksgiving, so I have no insights to offer.
But I can suggest a book: Atonement. I read it and forced my poor Mother to read it too so I could talk to her about it.
Wordbird
Aw, sweet photo!
Things I'm thankful for: people I love who love me back, an affordable apt in downtown NYC, cats, work that pays my rent & still leaves time & energy for my art, the grace to accept that my art doesn't pay the rent, being able to laugh, fine perfume & good food, and most of all, wanting what I have.
Best recent book: American Gods, Neil Gaiman. No guilty TV pleasures, don't watch TV. Makes me sound awfully stuffy, but it's true.
Have a great holiday, everyone!
If you haven't read it already, a good addictive book is Michel Faber's "The Crimson Petal and the White". Set in London, main character is a prostitute called Sugar. Sound thrashy, it's not.
Amongst many things, I am thankful to the blog world for making me meet Donanicola, the best perfume friend a girl may wish for.
And to all of you for your posts, that give me something extra to look forward to each day.
Absolutely wonderful picture! I am deeply grateful for Mr. Lily, who puts up with my craziness. Also for books (though I need a new one--may try Sylvia's suggestion), music, TV (guilty pleasures= Project Runway, House, Nip/Tuck), coffee, perfume (right now, for CdG Patchouli--though not for the price (got a decant), exercise, and good friends, old and new, including, of course, the incredible perfume people I have met or corresponded with--like YOU! Happy Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving, Marina. What a lovely post! I'm grateful for my darling husband who initially was a bit worried as my obsession with perfumes grew after reading your fabulous blog, but who now enjoys indulging in perfumes with me. I'm grateful for my country, and all of the freedoms I have as a woman here; for my health; for the beauty of the farmland that surround me; and last but not least, for Chanel 22, which is just perfection.
Lovely family, Marina! I'm grateful for warm socks and blankets -- hey, it's snowing here! But mostly my husband, sons, mom, sister and the rest of my family, who, though sometimes make me want to tear my hair out, are the only source or true comfort.
Oh and my electric tea water heater thingie, which makes the whole tea experience a snap for prep, but takes away nothing in the enjoyment.
Right back Silvia! You brought grateful tears to my eyes! Other people/things for who/which I am grateful include my parents, still in good health and the rest of my family especially my nephew, Sam, my cats who make arriving home in the evenings such a pleasure, all my senses (smell of course this being a perfume blog!) but yesterday the sense of sight having copped a load of a picture of Pierre Guillaume with his shirt off, and friends. And thanks to you Marina for such a lovely, funny, informative blog. Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it.
So much of what others have said is true here too. most thankful to Matt, my mind and soulmate of 17 years.
My Tv walk of shame is all boys' stuff really - Prison break (Wentworth Miller, come whisper my way), Heroes, Spooks etc. Though a new BBC serialisation of Gaskell's Cranford stories started on Sunday night and it's the most enjoyable telly - perfect sunday night viewing with a stellar cast.
And love you M - adore the pic of silly Mr C and the lovely little miss.
Donanicola - enquiring minds need to know the source of these pics....
*drums fingers*
Happy Thanksgiving to all! I am most grateful for my dogs, the ability to live in Mexico in a wonderful city, my friends, my sister, all the wonderful people that support me in my crazy career. I have recently discovered audio books and I must say that it has improved my day 100% because I get to listen to books while I work. Yesterday, I listened to the BBC production of "Lady Chatterley's Lover" yesterday....mmmm, steamy goodness! Why have I never thought of audio books before? Today I am grateful because I am starting "The Brothers Karamazov" or maybe a "Tale of Two Cities". I am grateful for so many things but especially for Marina and Tom and this blog which provide hours of entertainment (since I don't watch TV either!) and for the necessary information needed to feed my addiction!
Lee - Les Senteurs sent a Christmas 2007 Newsletter which included the exciting fact that they now stock selected PG scents. A click on the link "more about PG" revealed just that. I nearly fell off my chair then forwarded it to Silvia. Gotta share.
Marina,
Thankful for TV? Really? After all the knocks on it (by both of us to be fair) compared to British TV?
So I suppose you are thankful for both Channel 5 and Chanel 5?
I'd mind the senseless drivel of "America's Next Runway Project" or whatever you watch ... a lot less ... if you traded in the fluffy pink housecoat for a nice lacy Teddy-set.
Say .... Why is it that the older women get and the longer you are married to them, the MORE Victoria's Secret and Frederick's catalogues come into your home ... yet the LESS the woman actually WEARS any of the stuff in there.
(Sounds like I am ranting towards another [long-overdue] guest post? - Coming soon, I assure you and on a topic I found myself).
Bottom line is Colombina ... your readers may love you but those two silly sausages in the picture love you and need you and adore you!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul
x
PS: I am doing all the cooking tomorrow as I so much enjoy stuffing my bird.
I'm thankful that, even though fifty is no longer a vicious rumor (there! I wrote it!) that I have relative good health.
I'm thankful that I have a safe home and a job that pays for it.
I'm thankful for my friends, cyber and otherwise that are happy and healthy on this holiday, and hope for those who aren't.
I'm grateful to Marina for letting me rant here, and grateful to those who enjoy me ranting.
Finally I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday, eat too much and not gain an ounce!
I'm joining the anonymous Brit: I just bought Ian McEwan's Atonement, and we don't have Thanksgiving either(here in Austria). But still I can be grateful for having my lovely & loving husband; for my hobbies (something I still can look forward after 10-12 hours in the office); and yes, for the books (I wish I could read them as quickly as quickly I buy them...), for the music (today its a CD of David Gilmour live in the Royal Albert Hall!). And for my old cats, definitely.
And am grateful for having people here on this Earth they are creative enough to develop Dzonkha, Cashmere, White Oud or Gris Claire...
And finally, for the internet - though I'd have much more time for myself without it, on the other hand there would be no perfume blog without the www either...
Love & have a peaceful holiday,
ljg
(the code to type in for confirmation is "ghysmo"...)
How cool to turn a commute into something to be thankful for! Been wanting to read Deluxe, and sounds like I should.
Paul, I am too young and innocent to read things like that!
I am thankful for my health and that of those I care about, for books in general, for the freedom to read them, and for perfume turning out to be such a multifaceted experience this past year. Colombina, it's always a pleasure to read your columns and those of your guest posters, and I am grateful for the civil and friendly level of discourse that I see here day after day. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
What a sweet picture! You do indeed have much to be thankful for.
I am thankful for my improving health over the past couple of years, my cats, my sisters, my garden, my TV guilty pleasures(oh yes! Project Runway & Grey's Anatomy, etc.), the fact that I live where Winter is wet rather than cold and white, and that Summer is dry instead of humid, that I am going grey as gracefully as one could hope for, and for all my perfume friends in the blogosphere who confirm that I am not alone in my passion for scent. I also have a car that runs and a job I like, so that counts for a lot as well.
Beth,
What a wonderful list of things to be thankful for!! Thank you for being with us!
Ida,
Thank you! I think she doesn't look like me at all!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
L,
Happy Thanksgiving!
All those go onto my to-read list.
Wordbird,
Thank you, Atonement tops my wishlist at the moment.
Divalano,
I hope this time next year I will be being grateful for an affordable apt in downtown NYC :-D
Happy Thanksgiving!
Silvia,
I am so glad you two got to meet, how amazing is that!
Judith,
Happy Thanksgiving!
So who is your early favorite on PR? :-) I think I am rooting for Chris at the moment.
Suzanne,
I am so glad your husband not just tolerates but actually indulges in your perfume, um, hobby :-)
Patty,
Happy Thanksgiving!
What tea water thingie?!
Nicola,
Those pictures, yes, quite...quite a treat :-)
Lee,
Hands off Wentworth! He is mine.
:-)
PS. Promise me to leave the fair Miller alone and I might help you take a look at fair Guillaume. :-)
Kelley,
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Brother is a tough albeit rewarding read. :-)
Nicola,
beauty must be shared :-)
Mr C,
Did you just I am getting OLDER? :-)
By the way, yes, the post is reaaaaly over-due.
Tom,
You just made me cry. In a good way.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Melinda,
Ghysmo, LOL :-)
Yes, I too buy books faster than I read them
R,
It's a great read. Reads liek a thriller, especially the chapter about Bernard Arnault :-)
Kelley,
You tell him!
I watch all my TV on DVD's these days. Just finished up the first season of 30 Rock, which I adored. And I'm right there with you on Project Runway.
I am thankful for so much. Days with time for rest and pleasure in them. A partner who loves and appreciates me and is incredibly lovable himself. A house with animals in it. Friends. And of course, this strange, gentle and beautiful new community of scent maniacs...
Blessings everyone!
Exsitentialist,
the freedom to read, definitely, is something to be grateful for!
Donna,
So, the same question to you: who is your early favorite on PR? :-)
Happy Thanksgiving!
A,
Gentle community? :-) Lets say something not positive about, oh I don't know, Creed or Lutens, and see what happens :-D
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
At this point in my life, I'm thankful for all the cozy little pleasures I'd normally take very much for granted:
- my big bath tub and (almost) daily baths;
- my warm and fluffy scarves that make this windy weather tolerable;
- my mom's country house that I always ran from and can't wait to go back to (and her "banya" that sounds oh so appealing right now);
- my husband's willingness to give me foot rubs when needed;
- my daily "chats" with you;
- a big pot of chili that I made today.
OK. I clearly am thankful for anything that brings me comfort. Alas, perfume doesn't seem to fall into this category right now. Wah!
Kakie lyudi i bez ohrany! :-)
Ina,
Don't leeeeaaave! :-)
Gosh, I'd love to go to banya too :-)
With me? That's kinda inappropriate...
In banya, nothing is inappropriate :-) Or rather, everyone is in the same state of undress and it's OK :-)
LOL! True dat.
Plus, there's always a chance to whip or get whipped.
Kinky ;-)
Hmmmm. . .I honestly don't know yet; maybe I'll have a better idea after tonight. Chris is certainly endearing, though; I like the way he "ran.":)
Ya know, after last night I really like Elisa. I don't think she'll win, but she may last a long time. She's actually kinda good (even the first dress would have been good if the tail had been cropped), and she's amazingly even-tempered. Everyone is giving her sh-t, and she just keeps being nice. Saying she wanted SP when she had last pick was very nice (whether it was true or not). The way she reacted to SP was really nice (SP was helpful but also quite mean). And the line about coming from another planet bearing gifts was brilliant. I don't think she'll win, but I have a warm spot for her, and I'd like to see her in the final 3 (if she can pull her stuff together). Christian is talented but a jerk (shades of Jeffrey), and this outfit was not good. Rami is hot and maybe talented. I still like Chris. I'm kinda afraid VictorYa will win. I have nothing against her, and she's clearly extremely competent, but sorta boring, IMHO. I don't have clear impressions of the rest. All subject to change. Happy T-day!
Marina, stopping by very late to say how beautiful Little Miss C is (although you already knew that), and I think Mr. C looks every bit the funny, rakishly handsome guy he comes across as in his writing.
I didn't realize you were working *in* NYC until your post about Eliel; am I understanding correctly? How long a commute is that? But yes, I used to be a subway commuter, and I loved the reading time. Clearly that's a love shared by many people.
Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving.
J,
Those seemingly cute thingies on the photo wouldn't let me finish watching PR yesterday, so I DVRed it and still don't know who was aufed :-)
Elisa actually annoys me a little bit. Spitting on the fabric? Soooo new-agey spaced-out. :-)
March,
Thank you!
Yep, I work in NYC, on Madison, to be precise. Please do come see me if you are ever in NYC!!
OK Marina - Project Runway - I like Chris March, the costume designer, he is a sweetie, and he has the experience and talent to pass the difficult challenges. It's too soon to tell who the front-runners are right now, but I understand that next week is going to be diabolically difficult, so they can show what they are made of. Woo hoo!
Donna,
he is my favorite too!
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