The Friday Forum - October 26

This crazy little rose near my mailbox decided to bloom in October. The crepe myrtle volunteer behind it is a glorious red right now. I had to take a picture right before dusk.

This is a true TGIF for me. I'm worn out. In the last week, I've had another epidural (the New England Compounding Center was not involved), shopped hard, worked hard, and eaten leftovers for dinner. I prefer to go out or get takeout. Last Friday night, a friend and I met at a favorite restaurant, Asian Corner in McLean. When we got there, we found that Asian Corner was gone - history, I learned. A Mexican restaurant had taken its place (same owner - sweet Chinese family - should have been a clue). We stayed, deciding it might be good. Big mistake! The food was unbelievably bad. All of it tasted like it came from a bottle or can. I could have opened a jar of salsa at home. The beans were canned - no doubt. What a disappointment! Not only did I lose a fave, I spent money on a meal that was memorable - for all the wrong reasons. Do you experiment often or usually go to a restaurant you know? How often are you severely disappointed? I'm trying another new restaurant with a different friend this weekend. Holding my breath.

I'm really reluctant to stray into politics here, but I can't wait for the election season to end. Let's not use the comments to join the partisan drumbeat. That said, I'm so tired of sleazy television advertisements funded by PACs (American Crossroads, I'm looking at you - you don't have a right to invade my home because I live in a battleground state), newscasts that are devoted almost entirely to the election (excuse me, but isn't there a hurricane coming?), political spam in my mailbox (if you contribute, I'd advise you to refuse to provide an e-mail address), all those phone calls (I can't answer my phone anymore). Enough! I'm beginning to think the American people must force the issues on election laws. That's a change we need in the next four years. I don't know what to do about the Supreme Court. They are the ones who gave "free speech" to corporations, resulting in the political expenditure of enough money to cure cancer. The total is at $2B so far - that's billion. I imagine the founding fathers are screaming from the grave, "No, that's not what we meant!"

About that hurricane, it appears to be headed my way. Right now, it sounds like we may lose power in our area. If I stop publishing, you'll know why. The last time I had an extended power disruption, I also had no cell service. Remember the derecho?

OK, I'm ready to turn back to beauty. Thank you for suffering through my rant.

The fragrance deliveries this week - as recently as yesterday - were amazing. Mito Eau de Parfum by Vero Profumo ($200), ordered from First in Fragrance (but available now from LuckyScent), is magnificent. Here is the edited description.

Has it really been only five years since the amazing Vero Kern’s Kiki, Rubj, and Onda shook us to the core with their otherworldly, archaic/modern accords?

Mito is her long-awaited four composition, inspired by the magical gardens of the sixteenth century Villa d’Este on Lake Como in Italy. The myths the name conjures might be the gods and nymphs whose statues people the garden. We’re inclined, though, to think of the myths of perfumery. Mito, a glorious green floral chypre built around the Villa d’Este magnolias and jasmine, isn’t so much a descendent of the great Chanels and Guerlains as a wayward sister to Cristalle or Chamade who made her way to Northern Italy and thrived.

Verdant, creamy-moist, and vibrant with sunshine-laden citrus, Mito may well be the most easily approachable of Vero Kern’s offerings, without surrendering a drop of her intense originality. This Italian springtime in a bottle was well worth the wait  - both for vintage perfume lovers and Vero aficionados. We’re feeling the love. You will too. 

Mito's citrus blend includes notes of magnolia grandiflora, white magnolia champaca, jasmine, galbanum, hyacinth, cypress blend, and moss. It's hard for me to summon the words to describe its beauty.

Let's talk about your week of beauty. It's time for the Friday Forum, our open chat. I love this part of our week. Have you selected your favorite holiday collection - and purchased a few new treasures? What new products did you discover this week? Did you find any deals you couldn't resist? Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care? What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all) readers will have moved on.

This week, my giveaway contest features a set of lip glosses I love: Benefit's Ultra Plush Lip Glosses. If you'd like to win, you have to enter. All you have to do is comment. The deadline is tomorrow, Saturday, October 27, at midnight.

Photo at top by Best Things in Beauty; Mito photo courtesy of LuckyScent