Spiced Berries--December's SOTM
Well, curse my nose! I have had the most outrageously bad allergies this fall that trotted themselves out in full force following a head cold that Miss Elf gave me. Most of the time, I can't smell a darned thing except for a brief couple-hour window after I take my allergy pill. It has gotten so bad, I've encased my pillows in allergen covers, have been vacuuming every two days in my bedroom (WHAT????), and have ordered an air purifier. This from a gal who spent the majority of her life completely allergy-free; now it seems I'm allergic to everything, from cats to soy candles to dust mites. My allergist tells me she sees women in three phases of life: puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Apparently hormonal change times are big allergy times! Who knew? And, while I'm not quite at menopause yet, my hormones are quite definitely in the big flip-flop stage, so it all makes sense. But it sure is messing with my sniffer.
In fact, when I first melted Spiced Berries, I was pretty sure it had zero throw. So disappointing. But, then I took an allergy pill and came downstairs an hour later and was greeted by the most delightful berry/woodsy/spicy scent. YUM! Delicious! Some on the Scentsy forums have compared Spiced Berries to Autumn Stroll, but I must vehemently object! I find Autumn Stroll to be a perfumey-disgusting mess of a scent--one I'm compelled to toss after an hour of putting it in a warmer. Others have compared it to the much-criticized Comfort & Joy. Now, I'm one of the few who loves Comfort & Joy--but it is a strong cedar scent with a touch of spice, and I can see why one might not care for that. And I don't really think the two smell alike. Spiced Berries is a well-balanced woodsy-spice scent that really opens up with fruitiness when warmed. The scent notes don't list cinnamon, but I could swear there is a dab of it in there. This is the type of scent that evokes Christmas, and it is going to enjoy a place next to my other Christmas faves--Christmas Cottage, Winter Pine, Cozy Fireside, Clementine Clove, and now, Spiced Berries.
Now, to be fair, I'm still not sure of Spiced Berries lasting power. My nose lasting power is lacking. So, I'll only be rating on scent this edition, and apologies about that!
Spiced Berries Scent Rating: 9
And now, I'm re-posting last year's Thanksgiving Wish for you all:
May Blessings and Gratitude Fill Your Life Year 'Round!
Have a wonderful holiday with family and friends this Thanksgiving.
After much self-debate, I have elected not to participate in offering Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals. I have personally boycotted Black Friday for many years now, not just because of the shopping aspect, but because how ugly it many times becomes...with tramplings and near-riots--and all over the acquisition of material goods! Now, many stores are opening earlier and earlier, meaning retail workers will unnecessarily need to leave home in the middle of the night to sell us stuff.
Now, I love my "stuff" as much as the next guy or gal.. I feel blessed to live in a country where we are fortunate enough to afford material comforts, needs, and yes, wants! I am grateful for our essential workers, like police, firemen, transportation personnel,and medical workers who MUST work on holidays.
But, it seems to me that when we, as a culture, start pushing people out of the way to get a bargain on a material good, we have fallen a bit. And I just can't participate. My shopping can wait another few days. I hope yours can, too.
I do try to offer sweet Scent Review deals throughout the year, so hopefully you don't have to rush around on Friday to get your Scentsy : )
In the meantime, Happy, Happy Thankgiving!
