Winter Solstice by Wayne Devon

As the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year draws near, and the hum of the holiday season is growing louder, I was relieved to find a fragrance that distracted me for a moment (for more than a moment) and got me daydreaming about the dog days of Summer, and a vacation I took long ago where timelessness and beauty prevailed.

Bitter Orange Trees, Seville

Soleil Liquide is a dramatic citrus; its initial rush brings with it a flurry of ideas and sheer happiness. Top notes of grapefruit, blood orange, and tangerine build a bright opening that is full and sunny and somehow lured me back to Spain, to Andalusia. It took me specifically to the streets of Seville, where the luxurious feeling of sitting in an open-air courtyard under orange trees while inhaling the warm fragrant air took hold of me. Soleil changes slowly on the skin. There is a floralcy to the fragrance that is centered on neroli, which is the blossom from the bitter orange tree. The neroli gently reins in the citrus notes, and its honeyed and jasmine-like qualities transform the EdP into an intimate fragrance.

Alhambra from the Generalife by MA Sullivan

As I traveled further south into Andalusia, I arrived in Granada, where time and atmosphere seemed even slower and heavier. I learned quickly about the blazing Andalusian sun and how it likes to play tricks on one who is traveling alone. I spent several days going to the Alhambra, each morning I would climb the steep hill pass the gypsy women who would place fresh rosemary in my palm and hold my hand as they told me my future. Instead of taking siesta, I would rest in the shady arms of the Generalife, the Alhambra’s intricate garden. There I was settled and tucked-in by the warmth, ghosts, and flowers that surrounded me. Soleil is comforting in the same way. Its base notes of sandalwood and white musk brings an overall creamy transparency to this fragrance.

Alhambra by Henry Beer

Today’s gray skies turned sunny while wearing Soleil Liquide. When I emerged street level, I arrived at a different kind of open-air courtyard, namely Rockefeller Plaza. I was confronted by ice skaters and more tourists than usual, and yes, the infamous Christmas tree, which stands 80-feet tall this year, and I was able to experience the scene with renewed eyes thanks to my daydream and Soleil.

Soleil Liquide is a classic citrus that is easily worn and shared by men and women, and is a no-brainer for gift giving. The Memoire Liquide line is based on the precise intersection between scent and memory, and there are two ways to get there. One can create a signature scent via their Bespoke Perfumery, or one can discover five ready-to-wear scents from their Reserve Edition.

Thanks to Memoire Liquide we have a full bottle of Soleil Liquide  available at www.Parfum1.com to giveaway to one reader. To be eligible leave comment sharing a place you have traveled or would like to travel  to bring some light to your long nights of winter. The draw will close on December 11, 2012.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 –Valerie Vitale of Soliflore Notes, Contributor