Stereoplasm While other indie shops may have thought ancient lost civilizations, conspiracy theories and strange magnificent beasts of legend and lore weren't exactly spring theme fragrance material, one shop said it could be done and dared to go completely outside the box this past spring release. Taking notes from the elements (and perhaps an appendage or claw from some intergalactic being and a Cryptid yet to be fully identified) Stereoplasm presented 6 blends in 2 collections. The following were my overall thoughts and of course some added history for your amusement... Bottles World's Fair 1893 Sleeping Giants Eye of the Sahara One Note at a Time World's Fair 1893 (Plum brandy, genisteae, melted steel, powdered porcelain and stained glass) There be violets in this as it's the first note that hits my nose along with the plum brandy that adds a sharpness to the powderiness of the unlisted floral. The genisteae (or broom) gives this blend just a hint of a cola herbal smell. The metal and the plum brandy dance back and forth as this oil dries and I'm in love with this bottle. All around applauds to Stereoplasm for the attention to historical notes as this brings to mind an elegant lady walking along the bright lights of the World's Fair. If certain literary characters were allowed to escape their pages, I would say this is the fragrance worn by Irene Adler touring the Chicago Columbian Exposition, it's inventive and has a little of a seductive mysterious streak (perfect for the getting the attention of a certain detective). Passing the knowledge along: The World's Fair 1893 was an influential social and cultural event that attracted millions of people from across the world to a massive 6 month event built to showcase technological advancements in about every field you can think of and had a profound effect on architecture, sanitation, the arts, Chicago's self-image, and optimism in American industrial companies (it was also rumored the fair may have had some intergalactic ingenuity displayed and not everything showcased was as it seemed). One set of infamous names involved with the fair was Louis Comfort Tiffany who designed along with Clara Driscoll an incredible chapel of stained glass and screens depicting different scenes from the bible and images of nature unlike the world had ever seen before. Another fascinating note to share is while the bright lights of the fair blazed a true con-artist turned murderer stalked the edges of the grounds taking in tenants and sightseers to his building built for one purpose and after they signed a contract, they were never seen again. The name of this con-artist was Herman Webster Mudgett (and crime history will remember him as Dr H. H. Holmes). For titles on the subject of the Chicago Columbian Exposition, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Clara Driscoll and of course H. H. Holmes, I highly recommend: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, A New Light on Tiffany: Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Girls by Martin Eidelber, Nina Gray and Margaret K. Hofer, Clara and Mr Tiffany by Susan Vreeland, Noon at Tiffany's by Echo Heron and Depraved by Harold Schechter Sleeping Giants (Stone moss, bearded iris, carbon, wildflowers and petrified wood) In the bottle it's moss and sweet narcotic like wildflowers that sweeps me away to a lonely field staring at a huge rock formation that could very well have extraterrestrial origins, ancient connections or it could be just be a case of Pareidolia. Once applied this oil takes on a vintage powdery perfume element and the green notes sink into the back ground. I love this scent at this moment but alas the full dry down resembles soap on me. I've had tremendous luck of placing this oil in my unscented argan hair oils and whipped soaps. Out of the bottles in these collections Sleeping Giants and Ogopogo were the most "spring forward" fragrances, capturing the season in a unique way as only this shop can. Eye of the Sahara (Ancient spice, lovegrass, ambergris and sea salt beneath hot sand) I'm ashamed to admit I never heard of this amazing circular feature located in the Western Sahara desert before this collection of perfumes was announced. The Eye of the Sahara (the Richat Structure or Eye of Africa) can be seen from space and is believed by many to be the secret location of Atlantis. This perfume based on the dome of stones that predates life on earth has been a smash hit for me and something I keep reaching for. It may have to do with the alluring concept of world travel as Eye of the Sahara smells so exotic (with a trace of tempting spice and warm comforting dust) or it could be that this oil is somehow vintage smelling and makes me long for another time. I saw someone was asking for everyone's adventurous mood fragrances on Reddit, well Eye of the Sahara is my answer. It brings to mind an early 20th-century woman of travel (Agatha Christie visiting the sands and tombs of Egypt) or that a bottle would be found on a vanity next to intriguing artifacts and a dusty roll of tools of a silver screen heroine, ready to go for the next exciting treasure hunt. What ever the reason, I'm so happy I went with my gut and purchased the Buried/Lost Civilizations collection. Dare I say, it has been one of my personal favourite releases this year from any shop. Vials and Bottles Mothman Ozark Howler Ogopogo One Note at a Time Mothman (Grey vetiver, phalaenopsis, red cardamom and a hint of sulphur) I know the legend of the collapse of the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. I've seen the movie and yes, I do watch for red glowing eyes when I'm driving at late at night. Mothman is probably the more recognized name in this collection and boy, does he get an eerie clean fragrance. In the vial it's fresh and sweet with vanilla but when applied this awesome unexpected "buzzing" element comes out of nowhere and it smells like the window metal screen of a porch door (don't ask me why I know that smell, haha). Mothman tells a scent story of clean laundry being hung on the line and then some fantastical beast screeching out of the dark and flies past eyes blazing and antennae "buzzing". Unique notes and impression aside this is still extremely wearable and I like it but I'm just not sure this oil is for completely me. I have a friend who loves and treasures "clean and fresh" perfumes, so Mothman may have a new home soon if they get along. Ozark Howler (Fallen dogwood leaves, warm fur and white horehound) This fragrance is inspired by a huge hulking black beast that lives in the remote mountains of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. I'll fully admit I zoned in on the white horehound that was listed and had visions of anise and decaying leaves dancing in my head when I ordered. The presentation of my the bottles was so creative as they arrived in a box marked "live animals" with adorable little googly eyes attached on top, I was pretty excited to crack this blend open and I could only describe it as "hot man dog/cat". Not the best description to ever come from my pen but there it was, the aroma of a shaggy strangely attractive canine/feline man. Months later the dried wet leaves are more dominant now and I get the shaggy warm fur on the long dry down. It's something else and a must try for those that like an atmospheric with an alluring animalistic side- think if Vincent from (1987) Beauty and the Beast (does anyone remember that show?) moved out of the sewer and into the remote mountains still reading and reciting poetry (I need to get out more). Ogopogo (Cool Rippling lake, water lily, seaweed and snake skin) It's an ultra entertaining word to say really fast and thanks to the show Unsolved Mysteries, I'm fully aware of this monster of the deeps of the Canadian waters. When it comes to the fragrance, I'm downright blown away how realistic the lake water accord is and this unexplained creamy white floral that keeps catching my attention. I dare say it's pretty and definitely beguiling. There is something in this that reminds me of The Sky is Falling and I think it's an unlisted "ozone" accord and I can detect a sweet stone note hiding just beneath everything else. I also love how this reminds me of carefree days fishing off the dock with bare toes dangling just above the water, ready to pull back and run for my dear little life if I saw something moving in the water. (true confession time- I'm a water sign but I'm terrified of deep dark water and up until this year never really appreciated aquatic fragrances but Ogopogo can stay on my vanity). This was my choice pick out of the Cryptid collection and will be joining me when I travel or when I miss that familiar mud and lake scent of fishing in April. Stereoplasm "He wondered if they would ever see a spring." Little and less can I write that hasn't already been written by others about this ponderous tome. It has its moments of excellence where I couldn't turn the pages fast enough when bits and pieces bobbed to the surface of endless pointless journeys but in the end it fell to the lowest rating with its incessant repetitive "twists" you could see from the first introduction of the new characters and it is no surprise this is my least favourite novel in the series (was this ghost written?). This summer child is ready for winter and spring. It has to get better from here, flip the turtles and let's get on with it! -Purchased and re-read on kindle -EGP/April 2019 I was initially drawn to The Lost King of France: How DNA Solved the Mystery of the Murdered Son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette based on my affinity for unsolved mysteries of history, medical discoveries, conspiracy theories and cases of mistaken identity especially when it comes to the luxurious house names of European Royalty but as soon as I allowed myself to let my guard down, there it was, a powerful retelling of history of a truly forgotten figure of history. Told through meticulously collected documents of eye witness testimonies, diary entries and even tiny scratches on a prison wall, this title allows the reader to examine both sides of the French Revolution then jumps forward to modern-day laboratories with the saddest little relic from that bloody era- the desiccated heart of child and the question, does it belong to Louis-Charles, son of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette? As the title states, this mystery has been officially solved and that is only a section of the story this work has in store for the interested reader. The rest is journey back to complicated struggles of power, social changes, misplaced hate and the silenced voices locked in the dark (until now). -Purchased and read on kindle -EGP/May 2019 |
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28th of January 2023) NOTES/COMBINATIONS and Stones CURRENTLY ON THE HUNT FOR: Naughty Licorice/Star Anise Cardamom Cardamom Cake with Roses Smoky Honey & Leather Leather and Florals Pomegranate Colder Tuberose scents Smoked Florals with Cinnamon and Honey Graham Cracker and Incense Double strand of Rose Quartz or Moonstones or Black Tourmaline Chainmaille Jewellery Houses of Fragrance and Interest on the Horizon (shops that contain such temptations): LurkerAndStrange Good Spirit Wolf Rapt In Maille ToadStoolSoaps DSH Perfume Baphomet&Co Harvest Moon Haven Granny Hootenanny's Shop
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