Ineke Gilded Lily: To Frame The Lily

October 17, 2010

I have been looking forward to trying Ineke Ruhland’s seventh fragrance, Ineke Gilded Lily, since she told me about it last April. Ms. Ruhland chose to create a fruity chypre with a heart consisting of the Japanese Goldband Lily. One of the things that I am impressed with time and again is the dedication of the best artisanal perfumers and Ms. Ruhland is one of those. To truly understand the Goldband Lily Ms. Ruhland planted some in her Bay Area garden and took the time to experience the Goldband Lily as a living thing before converting it to an accord.

Amouage Memoir Man: The Road To Hell Is Paved With Pine Trees

October 16, 2010

From the very intense description of Amouage Memoir. My expectations were for an Amouage journey into the darkside. The note list which contained a central axis of absinth, frankincense, and vetiver made me think this journey into hell was going to be a real pleasure. Instead Karine Vinchon must believe one of the circles of hell is landscaped in pine trees because Memoir Man comes off as an intense study in heady camphoraceous conifers.

Annick Goutal’s Rose Splendide: Indeed It Is!

October 14, 2010

It is always a pleasure to meet up with Tom Crutchfield of Annick Goutal.
Tom explained to me that Annick Goutal was always obsessed with how a rose tasted of pear, and why a pear smelled like a rose.
This trio, Rose So Chic, was released in loving remembrance of Annick’s battle with cancer, and her lifetime love affair with the rose.
Rose Splendide is the fragrance which infuses all AG’s creamy skin care products.

Serge Lutens Boxeuses: Bye-Bye Anti-Perfume, Hello Perfume

October 14, 2010

In the Dog Days of August before the first new fall releases begin to arrive I think most perfumistas go through a momentary bout of despair. Then like magic the new fall releases begin to arrive and our fascination with fragrance is re-kindled. In a fall of some excellent releases already, Boxeuses was the spark that set my perfumed desire blazing again.

Perfume Review: Caron Tabac Blond: Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing, Baby

October 13, 2010August 6, 2014

Tabac Blond- created in 1919 by the brilliant Ernest Daltroff [founder of, and master perfumer for the House of Caron]-
Is as fresh, edgy, and glorious as it was when it was first introduced.
As racy, devil-may-care, throw-all- caution –to-the winds.

Pumpkin Beer Soap From The Greek Goddess Of Scented Suds Anastasia Angelopoulos

October 12, 2010January 26, 2011

It is said that the craftsperson imparts their personal energy into that which he/she creates.
Perhaps that is why I am such an avid collector of Anastasia’s hand cut funky chunky deeply scented soaps. They carry the energy of courage, fierce faith in the goodness of life, and a strong belief in spiritual justice.