Anne-Louise Lambert from Picnic at Hanging Rock
As most perfumistas' know, it's hard to keep up with all of the fragrance houses and latest releases; let me take that back, it's impossible. And many times, when you try to play catchup with the flurry of “What’s New", you can totally miss a hidden gem from past years. A couple months ago, I was introduced to Sonoma Scent Studio through the collaborative effort of perfumer Laurie Erickson and Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief of this website. Their creation, Yin & Ylang blew me away with its beauty. That introduction opened the door for me to discover what Sonoma Scent Studio and Laurie Erickson, (who has been creating fragrances for about 10 years), has to offer and I asked myself “How have I not tried any of this talented perfumer’s work before”.
Picnic at Hanging Rock directed by Peter Weir
It would be hard to top my love for Yin & Ylang, but I believe Jour Ensoleillé (translated from French it means sunny day), just may have done it. The fragrance opens with a slightly sweet orange blossom that quickly moves into an animalic woody and floral mix that is slightly dusty, muted and blissfully bountiful without being overly opulent The florals sit on top of layers of hay. I'm not surprised that I love it so much at this point as it reminds me of one of my favorite classics, Miss Dior. After around 20 minutes or so, the hay like essence moves to the background and allows the creamily textured florals to emerge. As the fragrance progresses the jasmine takes center stage and what you are left with is this gorgeous bouquet that's tenderly warmed. I tend to visualize fragrance and in the case of Jour Ensoleillé, I picture scenes from the movie Picnic at Hanging Rock a 1970's classic set in Australia at the turn of the 20th century. Why this movie? Because there is something very proper about Jour Ensoleillé but at the same time it feels dreamy and as if it is keeping a secret from another time.
Photo: Sonoma Scent Studio
Laurie describes her inspiration for Jour Ensoleille: "I was lucky to grow up in a rural area at the base of some beautiful wooded foothills. After school each day I spent my afternoons at a nearby barn riding horses and working until dark, and my favorite time of day was late afternoon when the setting sun created a beautiful golden glow on the hills in the distance and on the oaks all around me. Jour Ensoleillé makes me think of that afternoon golden glow on the hills and oaks; it's a happy scent for me".
Jour Ensoleillé is a happy scent for me too;I wear it and feel peaceful and serene. Laurie Erickson is a gifted perfumer and I look forward to exploring her world some more.
Notes: Orange blossom, neroli, tuberose, jasmine, beeswax absolute, labdanum absolute , myrrh, sandalwood, ambergris, vetiver, green leaves, oakmoss absolute.
–Steve Lindquist, Guest Contributor and Editor of The Scented Hound
Writer's Note: For all the guys reading my review: Jour Ensoleillé is a great scent for men too.
Editor's Note: My first encounter with Laurie Erickson and Sonoma Scent Studio was back in 2007. Jour Ensoleillé might have been one of the first of her perfumes I fell hard for, just like Steve. It has been slightly tweaked (from the 2006 version, l own in 2009), but is all the better for it. You can read our CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery feature on Laurie here
Thanks to Laurie Erickson of Sonoma Scent Studio, we have a 17ml bottle of Jour Ensoleillé to offer anyone in the USA. Draw closes May 26, 2014. To be eligible please leave a comment about why you would like to try Jour Ensoleillé and if you have a favorite Sonoma Scent Studio Perfume.
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.