Scents of Spring Fragrances: They Give Me Fever & ‘Spirit of Water’ by Neil Morris Draw

 

“Sun lights up the daytime
And moon lights up the night…
I light up when you call my name
And you know I'm gonna treat you right…
You give me fever”

(lyrics from Fever as sung by Peggy Lee, Adam Lambert, Christine Aguillera in Burlesque, Aerosmith ,Beyonce, Michael Buble, Elvis and Ella)

 

 

Winter is ending. I mourn this time of year as I love my heavier fall and winter scents (I do wear some of my fragrances according to the seasons, do you?). I live in a state where we still experience all four seasons. Something wonderful starts happening all around us as we experience the fifth sense through the magic of Mother Earth. The Goddess of the underworld Persephone rejoins her mother Demeter, and we rejoice. It is the arrival of Spring Fever; all our senses are reawakened.

My spring fragrance favorites are:

 

 

Neil Morris Spirit of Water

 

 

Neil based this fragrance on a childhood memory of a leisurely summer afternoon spent at Walden Pond in Concord, MA.  He remembers the soft scents of trees and flowers growing nearby. But it was the water that had an aura that evoked the memory of happy days spent at the lake.  With notes of Wisteria, Water Lily, Jasmine and Poppy on a warm base of Musk and Tonka Bean this is a beautiful and uplifting fragrance. According to  West African mythology there is a deity called Spirit of Water, who was like a mermaid. Many cultures from legendary Atlantis,Greek  and Native American  have  inspired modern artists and perfumers  with images of Water Spirits)  

 

                           

Another fragrance I tremendously enjoy and wear often is: Untitled by Maison Martin Margiela. The composition is created of Boxwood, Galbanum, Bitter Orange, Incense, Jasmine, Cedar and Musk. The fragrance reinterprets aromas of greenery after rain. Perfumer is Daniela Andrier. It’s a lovely fresh fragrance and always fits the bill when I want to wear a green fragrance.

 

And while we are on the subject of a fragrance called Untitled…….there is one more Untitled fragrance I would recommend. It is the wonderful fragrance called Untitled No. 4 by Sarah Barton-King. A helping of lemon chiffon combined with a touch of peach and white flowers on a delicate layer of vanilla, amber and soft musk rounds out this wonderful fragrance. Easy and flirty to wear, perfect for springs arrival.

 

                    

Lastly, I recently had the pleasure of testing Joseph Parfum de Jour was immediately smitten. Though I had never heard of it, (being a self-proclaimed Perfumista) it was offered to me and how can I resist the unfamiliar) this fragrance to me smells like it could be a sibling to the wonderful Guerlain Nahema. Initially launched in 1985 and re-released in 1997. Notes of jasmine, rose, hyacinth, muguet, ylang ylang, sandalwood, and amber will grace your skin, just as is edgy fashion fits your frame.

What’s your favorite?

Claudia Kroyer, Contributor

Art Director: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Editor's note:  I put my favorite version of  Fever as the video, and my favorite Scent for Spring by Neil Morris is Midnight Flowers

 

 

Please enter our ‘You Give Me’ Fever Draw for a 30ml flacon of NM Spirit of Water. Please leave a comment on your favorite Neil Morris fragrance, what your favorite fragrances are for Spring, if you change scent by the season, as well  as your favorite version of You Give Me Fever). Draw closes February 24, 2011

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40 comments

  • I know, I know, I always say the same but… once more: I have never tried a Neil Morris perfume. So I can't answer the first question, but I can say that I would love to try any of them, and Spirit of Water sounds especially good. That's what I need to say hello to Spring! When warmer days come, I start to wear lighter, more floral fragrances, like Yves Rocher Comme une évidence.
    My favorite versions of You Give me Fever are Peggy Lee and Michael Buble 🙂

  • The only Neil Morris I've tried is Dark Earth, and I loved it! I don't really switch scents by season, but I suppose I like wearing more florals (in addition to the year-round rose) when spring rolls around, and less heavy orientals. Peggy Lee did "YGMF" best! Thanks for the drawing!

  • Claudia Kroyer says:

    Isa, you must give his fragrances a try…Neil Morris has such a great variety that there is sure something to be found for everybody. 🙂

  • Oh! Neil Morris! Huge favorite of mine! Love Gotham but Midnight Tryst…exquisite! Burnt Amber is a must for me for summer….

  • Carlos Powell says:

    How wonderful to read a review by my dear friend Claudia. Congrats, and great job! 2 NM I own and like are Storm and Zephyr. I don't have a fav spring scent, since I'm not a seasonal perfume wearer. 🙂

  • Claudia, thank you for the breath of fresh spring air. I have sampled Spirit of Water and find it very beautiful. I'd be thrilled to win a bottle! Neil Morris Dark Earth is one of my top favorites to wear in late winter/early spring. I think it's a masterpiece.

  • Ah, Neil Morris! I know only one of his grand fragrances, Midnight Tryst, and as such it is my favorite. So passionate a scent that it could make, in the words of another singer, "a pro blush"… I would LOVE LOVE LOVE a chance for another NM scent. Spring hearkens to refreshing scents and florals in my mind… the smell of damp earth coming from beneath the snow, the narcissus blooming (as it is here now.) …Thank you for the draw!

  • Sadly, I haven't tried any Neil Morris fragrances but Spirit of Water sounds quite interesting. There are a few perfumes I won't wear any time but winter (like Alahine) but most I'll wear any time.  Unless it's so horribly hot and humid–then I won't wear anything.
     
    I LOVE Peggy's version of "You Give Me Fever" other versions pale in comparison. IMHO of course!

  • Peggy Lee all the way!
     
    I have been curiously drawn to Neil Morris Rumi – actually most of the samples I have of his are darker and non-springy.
     
    I am looking forward to spring for a couple of fragrances I bought last fall and haven't been able to get much use out of: Guerlain Vetiver Pour Elle and SMN Iris.

  • Reading this, thinking I might see spring sometime…although not today for sure since we just shoveled a foot of snow off the driveway this morning…I rushed to have a spritz of my all-time favorite spring fragrance: Guerlain Chamade…. while digging around in the cabinet I decided that there was enough real estate available to have some of my favorite Neil Morris scent too….you guessed it: Spirit of Water!  Precious last drops of a split I got from a wonderful perfume hosting friend a year or so ago. I need to try more Neil Morris scents…because this Spirit of Water is fabulous stuff.   

  • Courtney Warren says:

    What a wonderful write up! I love the song 'Fever" when Michael Buble sings! Reading this gave me hope for spring, even though we just got another downpour of snow! Thank you for the wonderful chance at winning my very own bottle of Neil Morris "Spirit of Water! I can't wait to see who wins!

  • What a fantastic piece of writing. It was very enjoyable and the pictures go so wonderfully with the writing. Hopefully spring is right around the corner because this got me awfully excited. I myself have sampled  Spirit of Water by Neil Morris and it was rather amazing!! (:  Good luck to everyone in the drawing!

  • Have yet to try Neil Morris Fragrances although I like that they are not gender specific. I usually go by mood and not season.  

  • Hello Claudia!
    What a great post doll! You know I love my heavy hitters!!
    LOL but when I do finally say goodbye to them because the season calls to me the ones I choose for spring are -SSS Voile de Violette, vtg. Miss Dior edt, L’Artisan Verte Violette & Dzing!, Montale Aoud Rose Petals,PdN Le Temps de Une Fete and a new love Kiss Me Tender ,Guerlain Vetiver and my newest scent obsession Mythique. I haven’t tried any NM scents except Dark Earth but I did like it. Would love to try this one on for size as you make it sound so tempting and lem-worthy.
    I love Elvis Presley’s version the best of course! The King sings it the best! 😉

  • Great post Claudia!
    You know me and my heavy hitters LOL and I hate to put them aside but when I finally can bear to when the season calls to me what I reach for is- SSS Voile de Violette,PdN's Le Temps de Une Fete,L'Artisan's Verte Violette and D'zing! vtg. Miss Dior edt, Montale Aoud Rose Petals,and this spring I want Mythique to join in the fun. Have never tried any NM scents except Dark Earth which was right up my smelly alley. I'd love to try this new one on for size. And my favorite version is by the King himself. Elvis is the best version IMHO. 😉  ~T

  • I love water lilies, both the real thing and in perfumes. This post reminds me that I need to get around to trying Neil Morris' fragrances, especially North Woods, since I live there. Spring is my favorite season and I'm anxiously waiting to dig out my spring perfumes: Violetta di Parma, La Chasse au Papillons, Vent Vert, N'aimez que Moi, Infusion d'Iris, LesNez The Unicorn Spell…

  • this is the first time i heard about nm fragrances, i started to like fragrances since last autumn, so i haven't got any fragrance that i want to wear for spring. but, include me in the draw

  • Thank you Claudia for including us in your "Scents of Spring Fragrances" article! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoy Spirit of Water. And thanks to all of you who said such nice things about my "fragrant children!" I really do appreciate it. BTW, we have 2 new perfumes being launched this spring – ASEA – we're launching this in April at Henri Bendel and it is a tribute to my very first cruise last February. Notes: Pear, Peach, Night Blooming Jasmine, Water Flower, Sandalwood, Sea Air. The second release will be part of our Vault collection – A ROSE IS A ROSE – inspired by my dear friend Gabrielle. Peony Blossom, Aldehydes, Moss Rose, Bulgarian Rose, Myrtle Wood and Ambra Musk. Will be sending you samples, Michelyn!
    Wishing you all Good Health & Fragrant Dreams!
     
    Neil

  • I love Spring and have a great love for Neil Morris perfumes. I just tested A Rose is a Rose and think I need it for spring. I also like Vapor for spring. I usually break out the sweet rose, iris and jasmine in spring along with lighter ones from L'Artisan. Would love to be in the draw!

  • Claudia, great article! I need to sample SPIRIT OF WATER, as well as ASEA and A ROSE IS A ROSE.  I've really enjoyed Midnight Tryst, Rainflower and Hologram.

  • I own and love Neil Morris "Midnight Forest" it is one of my wardrobe favorites, I'd love to get this one, it sounds really good.

  • I have never tried any Neil Morris fragrances but  the comments so far have whetted my appetite. I do tend to change fragrance preferences slightly with the seasons. Ormonde Jayne Champaca, Chanel No 5 Eau Premiere and  PdN Temps d'une Fete are all favourites. As for  Fever,  it's Peggy Lee.   

  • The questions for this article, as well as comments, made me think what a newbie I am in the world of fragrances.  See for yourself: coming Spring is only my second perfumista-Spring.  Last Spring I made my first tentative order of samples online (laughs).  So I am still figuring out what are my favorite Spring scents, but this Spring I will be testing several mimosa samples, wearing Mimosa Estrel by L'Occitane and, if all goes well, wearing down a small decant of La Chasse aux Papillons and Crystal Flowers.  I will also be wearing my White Magnolia by DSH.
    I do wear the fragrances seasonally, but I am still figuring out the Left Coast seasons.  I live on the coast, so the climate is mild and the seasons are very different from where I grew up, which is very continental climate with pronounced seasons.  It is mimosa that heralds coming of Spring for me, mind me, more so the feeling "it is almost there — come on, come on, come on, come on."
    So another newbie thing here — I only learned about Neil Morris fragrances recently from a gentle friend (hey Haunani!), and this is the only one I tried so far.  It's Midnight Tryst and it is absolutely adorable.  It gives me a very warm feeling.  Of course, I want to test more Neil Morris's fragrances now.  When I read about what inspires his fragrances, I was very impressed with how he connects in fragrance an everyday experience and spiritual experience.  Connecting everyday and spiritual happens to be something I strive for in life, and it's amazing to explore fragrances that are created by that esthetics.  Spirit of Water was on my radar, as water is my favorite element, and Spirit of Air was because of the notes.   

  • oh, i *love* neil morris' dark season — even though i can't wear it because it gives me contact dermatits. 
    this wonderful, charred note in there is ravishing — and were i able to wear it it would be my favorite pine/fir scent, too.
    alas.
     
    next would have to be his burnt amber — same charred note, oh and ida's stroke of genius of adding the plum!
    i badly want a bottle of this 🙂
    almost as lovely is his northwoods: so wet, so verdant, so woody!
    perfect, really.
    of course i am *very* curious about this spirit of water…

    my favorite spring scent?
    at the moment it is charna's osmanthus oolong (providence perfumes.)
    i am rather smitten with it and can't seem to get enough of this one.
     
    hh

  • Taffynfontana says:

    I really enjoy Assam because of the spice factor. I find it  exotic and well blended. I think Peggy Lee does that song justice really gets me hot under the collar. 

  • Claudia Kroyer says:

    Its so nice to see all the wonderful comments……..thank you to everybody that took the time to come here and post. I love to read peoples opinions…….and did i hear Mr. Neil Morris say a Rose is a Rose and Asea… i think those two just landed on my must try list. 🙂

  • sonia garcia says:

    I never had the chance to try any of Neil Morris scents, this could be a great start, my favorite spring scent is By Kilian "Prelude to Love"

  • I  have yet to try any Neil Morris scents – I suppose because I've not yet finished exploring the offerings of Sonoma Scent Studio and DSH Perfumes.
    I love spring… favorite spring scents include Silences and the very-green (discontinued) Crown Perfumery Crown Bouquet.
    I love Elvis, too, but I think the nod has to go to Peggy Lee for "Fever."

  • Thanks for the great article, Claudia! Spirit of Water –and the myth behind it– sounds enticing!
    Favorite versions of "Fever" are Peggy Lee and The King : )

  • I've tried one of his perfumes. I forgot the name. Rain? City rain? Something like that…
    My perfumes are not "season oriented" but daily 🙂 Usually in Spring I am more open to Armani Code and Woman by Ormonde Jayne.

  • I'm ashamed to say I've never tried a Neil Morris scent! I'd love to…     And I don't necessarily change scents for seasons; it's all about the mood for me. On that note, I love the versions by Peggy Lee and Elvis, but my favorite is by Little Willie John. You can't go wrong with any of the three–they all help create a certain mood–I own a small boutique and play all three versions!

  • Oh what a great article! I loved this so much I read it twice. I love all of the Neil Morris fragrances so very much. He creates memories with every one of his perfumes. He is such an amazing and talented artist.
    I am so looking forward to trying the newest creations<3

  • Claudia Kroyer says:

    I am so thrilled to see all the wonderful comments everybody left on this thread. Its amazing to see how many of us already love Neil Morris fragrances. And to all of you that have not tried them yet, go check them out. I cannot forget about the other spring fragrances mentioned. I truly love many fragrances…way to many may i say, but the others mentioned are truly some of my spring staples. Here is to warmer weather and many more fragrances to be discovered.

  • Sigh. This is me trying not to be bitter about all the "perfumes for spring" posts that are popping up like daisies in the blogosphere. In fact, my geek side just went all pop culture and has Eddie Murphy as the dragon in Mulan freaking out that Huns are popping out of the snow "like daisies!" because there is a hella lotta snow where I live, and it ain't leaving anytime soon.
    Can we have some spring posts maybe in April for us poor benighted western Canadians who still have a ways to go? (For that matter, have you ever thought of doing "Fragrances for the Cold" in the middle of summer for all our Aussie and NZ friends? Ya know, just to mix it up? 😉
    I've only sampled one NM fragrance so far, but this is me bowing to Mr. Norris that Burnt Amber is fahhhbulous, and I will be getting a bottle.
    And I admit I've got a big ol' soft spot for fellow Canadian Michael Bublé. That man's voice is so smooth I could take a bath in it. 🙂

  • dionne- it was an experiment to see if anyone was really interested in the song. You are the first to catch it. congratulations you win BEST READER award. (ps uploaded the correct video)

  • sara levy says:

    I would love to enter the drawing! Nice article and nice to see some love for Joseph PdJ. I've been wearing it for over 10 years. Nothing like it! My favorite scents for spring are: Chant d'Aromes, Chamade, Silences, La Haie Fleurie, and Bas de Soie.