Well gang, about 2 weeks ago, I decided to step back from BoS for a bit and reflect on the direction it is going because I feel it is going in a direction that is no longer enjoyable and the ship is about to crash a shore. This was my getaway from my normal life, and the day to day BS. I love everything from the $20 Cremo to my almost $500 bottles which includes many niches, ME dupes and of course Dua. Unfortunately, the constant expectation to meet standards, people who flex and crap on those who are not on the same level, the constant lecturing and crapping on people's posts, etc. have ruined BoS. It no longer became enjoyable to share something you like or love and you stop to think about, did I meet someone's expectation? will someone crap on my fragrance because its a brand they dont like? or because the quality is not to their expectations? I know this behavior was brought to @Antonio Centeno attention and some admin/moderators, but no action was taken and it has now spiraled out. I don't know if they even care as long as people are paying up. Sometimes it feels like the people who pay up, feel entitled to do what they want and no one will say otherwise. There were many of us who were very active, have just been dropping like flies over the past couple months and it truly saddens me. I have been here almost 2 years and have learned so much and built many great relationships along the way. There is the hopeful in me that thinks we can rally and turn the ship around and the other thinks it is just doomed to crash among the rocks all the while we see the captain is not even piloting. I wanted to put this out there as many of you have reached out to me to check in and it is that level of care, that makes me appreciative and hopeful for the brotherhood. You know who you are, thank you!!! I haven't jumped ship yet, but to be honest, I am at the rails with my life vest on.

Wild Rush and Sugar Blast. Both sound great; cool new bottle designs as well. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWvnSoujIup/?igsh=aHc4NGIxdTN5OTY0

I just spent a solid hour writing up a review for my next SOTD, only to accidentally hit the back button and erase everything I wrote. I'll re-write it tomorrow when the frustration has gone away, but wanted to commiserate for a second. I really wish Skool would let us create a draft post and save our work. It's not the first time I've had this happen. So annoyed now.

To my fans of Goldfield and Banks, yesterday, i’m very proud to announce something i was able to participate in, and something extremely unexpected to say the least! So i’ve become a local customer at a niche perfume store, and became fairly good friends with the store manager. She invited me to a really cool event that i went to yesterday, something i couldn’t pass up the opportunity for. I met sales executives, curators, enthusiasts, and best of all, i got to meet Dimitri, the owner and master perfumer behind Goldfield and Banks. They showed us raw ingredients, oils, and process of making them, and gave out autographs and cool free stuff. I literally only knew one person there lol, but as someone who’s struggled with severe social anxiety for a really long time, i couldn’t even have imagined myself going there a few years ago. I walked in, introduced myself to the first girl i saw, talked to her for a while, introduced myself to more people, and got to meet the owner! and dude, i wasn’t nervous or scared at all. in fact, i was able to just make a normal, really good conversation with him! we conversed for around 20-30 minutes, and talked about everything, life, perfuming, our dreams, inspirations, etc. Definitely a nice guy, slightly closed (still friendly though) at first, but super cool when he opens up. even better yet, he started to introduce me to some of his other colleagues. he pulled the camera guy over, and we took a picture together! i took a selfie with him too. he told me how impressed he was with me, about my personality and vision, and said with the right drive, i could do some amazing things. literally made my day, im so shocked i was able to make such a good impression in just 20 minutes. he asked me if used any social media, i told him i was off it for now, and he told me, when i get insta back, to post that picture and tag him. and when he left, he looked for me to tell me he was leaving. Im still in the best form of shocked ever. like genuinely.

At Sephora right now and they have the new Tom Ford Taormina Orange. Love the opening; anxious to see if it has any lasting power to it. Anyone try this one yet??