Laurie Stern of Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery ©

Natural perfumer Laurie Stern is one of those rare beings who emanate pure light: there’s not one mean or duplicitous bone in her body. Her perfumes reflect this perfectly – generous of spirit, open, warm and filled with profound veneration of botanical beauty. When I muse upon the qualities Leo females personify at their most positive and loving, Laurie immediately comes to mind. She lives to spread the loveliness; her fragrances are joyous and she will settle for nothing less than the best quality materials that can be had. If they don’t exist, she’ll create them herself: tinctures, beeswax from her own bees, enfleurages of exquisite materials which require complete attention and nurturing. When she contacted me recently and sent me samples of her latest solid perfumes I was enraptured – and I’d like to share them with you.

 

Laurie's corsages

Laurie’s inspiration arises from any number of possibilities – literature, art, music, nature, family. As an artist in several arenas she draws from her wellspring of horticultural expertise and her love of the decorative arts and antiques. The first fragrance, Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery Mystere Devoile (Mystery Unveiled) is an homage to her talented landscape architect husband Gary and their home. The second, Moonlight – is NOT redolent of her beloved Victoriana; it’s Art Deco and the opulent Oriental perfumes which bedecked its devotees. She’s given us two discrete perfumes with charms all their own.

Henri Matisse Green vase©

Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery Mystere Devoile – Imagine overlooking San Francisco Bay in the spring and summer: your husband plants a 40 foot wall of jasmine just for you alongside the driveway. Everyone who approaches your house inhales it before they arrive! Lemon trees in full bloom. Your family wants these aromas captured; who wouldn’t? To this end, Laurie gathered the most succulent citrus aromas: Lisbon lemons with their tinge of bitters, juicy Italian blood orange and fizzy lemon myrtle to amplify and extend lemon’s potency, adding its herbal undertone.

 

Upon their scented heels unfolds a lavish floral array, sophisticated and satisfying – Chinese osmanthus’ apricotty leatheriness dovetails heady Indian jasmine seamlessly. Orris butter provides counterpoint as its powdery delicate floral woodiness acts both as fixative and fragrance, softly violet-hued and rhizomal. Mystere Devoile is underscored with creamy aged Indian sandalwood; it’s an achingly lovely, masterful touch which unifies the entire composition without distraction. In her unexpected marriage of materials Laurie gives us a symphonic tone poem of a perfume, all the more beautiful for its singularity. Notes: Lemon, Italian blood orange, lemon myrtle, Chinese osmanthus,Indian jasmine, orris butter, Indian sandalwood

Radiant Moon, Edward Robert Hughes©  Private Collection

Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery Moonlight – Our perfumer is an undeniable romantic and Moonlight becomes her. Romance doesn’t necessarily preclude volupté – and this fragrance possesses a wantonness born of the fierceness of flowers. It bristles with self-assured sensuality and takes no prisoners. We can blame the moonlight, but it’s more likely that its potent floral trio is the culprit. A spritz of pink grapefruit for sparkle, the zing of Italian bigarade pop like the cork on a jeraboam of Veuve Cliquot – but don’t get all comfy just yet. The seraglio hasn’t opened its portals and when it does, you’ll know: a wealth of spiciest Egyptian carnation, ylang ylang from Madagascar and that bosomy Indian jasmine will swan in. You’re done for. Laurie won’t leave it there, either; she employs the oldest patchouli and richest sandalwood in her palette to reel you in and you’ll be glad she did. Although Deco vintages inspired her, Moonlight shares their luxurious feel in a manner which appeals to contemporary tastes. Since when was seduction dated? Notes: Pink grapefruit, Italian bitter orange, Egyptian carnation, Madagascar ylang ylang, Indian jasmine, aged patchouli andIndian sandalwood.

Samples provided by perfumer Laurie Stern – they’re wonderful! Thank you! My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Senior Editor and Natural Perfumery Editor

~ Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery Mystere Devoile and Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery Moonlight 

Thanks to the generosity of Laurie Stern we have a sample of either Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery Mystere Devoile or Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery Moonlight for a registered CaFleureBon reader in the USA for a 5 ml solid perfume ($75) in the Starlight box and her special corsage. To be eligible please leave a comment regarding which perfume appealed to you and why. Draw closes 2/23/2019

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