One year has passed since I stumbled across the ultimate online craft fair known as ETSY and I have had the opportunity to display some amazing different kinds of art since then. From heirloom quality jewellery that beautifully echoes other times and places, perfumes that capture nostalgic moments or help to create new memories, some incredible custom historical art pieces that haunt from every angle and finally stepping out in style wearing a collection of scarves based on my favourite classic books. My home and personal fashion sense have been changed all for the better (or finally realized) and here are the shops that have my heart and pocketbook.
ETSY Treasures (Listed in order from the first shop I purchased from to the most recent *as of May 2018, these are the places you need to go if you want something unique and completely you!): Alkemia Perfumes *Titanic Temptations Boheme Bijou Sibérie Perfumes The Rag N Bone Emporium *English Vintage Design Wild Scarab Jewels Midnight Vision UniversalZone *Sales & Coupons: Titanic Temptations (Shipping Free in the US and 2 different coupons on ETSY. A 10% Off Coupon for purchases over $25 Titanic Temptations TREASURECHEST10 And a 15% Off Coupon for purchases over $100 TREASURECHEST15) Also found here: http://www.titanictemptationsjewelry.com/ English Vintage Design (Get 10% off your order when you buy 2 items at this shop.) English Vintage Design For those of us who love history, legends of old or just enjoy smelling amazing, allow me to introduce you to a charming shop that caters to anyone who wishes to be pampered by products with ingredients straight from nature and inspired by Norse mythology. One look and you will know you have arrived at a unique destination and one whiff from the carefully arranged parcel (complete with a personal thank you note and other noticeable touches) that appears at your doorstep is enough to set you on a journey down another deeper tunnel in this strangely wonderful rabbit warren of indie fragrances and scent artistry. This (and more) is what you will discover at Valhalla Soap Co. (valhallasoap.com/). I am currently on my second "plunder" from this bewitching store and am planning out my third and fourth in the coming months. What I have found has become a part of my daily relaxing routine and the final touches I reach for when I go out the door into the modern world. You can tell allot of attention goes into each packed parcel and every time I open a jar, bottle or unwrap a marbled bar of soap it becomes an experience and reconnection to the lost past. I have to admit their excellent customer service practices invited me from the shadows of just window shopping and the owners' skills and knowledge of harnessing the ancient properties of herbs, spices, delicate florals and creative blendings continue to impress and keep me coming back. Victorian Lilac (Listed Notes and Description: "Straight up true old fashioned lilac. No powdery, perfume scent. Imagine true heirloom lilacs growing in front of a 1920's Victorian with all the gingerbread trim and paint.") A crown jewel of my perfume collection, Victorian Lilac by Valhalla Soap Co. is the heavenly spring scent I have been desperately searching for. It's as it says on the tin and this natural fragrance is everything I could wish for, it's nostalgia and every beautiful definition in the dictionary. It's like a sigh or gentle whisper on the skin. From beginning to end this uncomplicated perfume is magnificent and I feel such quiet strength when I wear it. Pixie Vials Wishing Star Farmer's Daughter Persian Pear Amber & Vanilla 7 Sins from Sunday valhallasoap.com/aromatic-body-oils/ Wishing Star (Listed Notes and Description: Star Anise and Lavender, "All natural Anise and Lavender combine equally to create a very earthy, Gothic scent. Both scents are rooted firmly in the element of Air, making them very good for any kind of emotional, mental or psychic work.") Wishing Star contains my weaknesses being Star Anise and Lavender and when these distinct notes combine it's otherworldly! In the vial, the lavender which is rich and herbal is most dominant but when applied the star anise takes over and pulls me only deeper into this alluring and relaxing medley. Absolutely one of my new favourites to recommend (fantastic for tension headaches). Farmer's Daughter (Listed Notes: Peaches, Oranges, Sweet Cream, Amber, Wild Violets, Musk, Vanilla Sugar and Honey) Farmer's Daughter is a lovely soft blend that is ideal for spring/summer and the professional setting. On me this oil dries down to a gorgeous powder with a realistic cream note and light lingering peach vanilla scent. Overall, an unexpected favourite as it is truly an enchanting balance of delicate and feminine without smelling too youthful or sweet. Persian Pear (Listed Notes: Anjou Pears, Lady Apples, Coconut, Vanilla Bean) In the vial, Persian Pear resembles the fragrance of a homemade compote with juicy pears and tart flesh of a freshly bitten (or chopped) apple with a drop of lemon. When applied an unexpected spice note appears that depending on your mindset and chemistry may read as "fizzy" but on me this is more of a late summer to early autumn harvest evoking combination of fresh fruit and warmth. This perfume is the most gourmand scented out of the pixie vials I received from this shop and I would be interested to find out if the sweetness is tempered in the soap bar form or is magnified in the detangler. Amber Vanilla (Listed Notes: Vanilla, Spices and Amber) Despite this oil containing vanilla this is not a gourmand fragrance or a playful perfume. Amber Vanilla is mature and striking (outrageously romantic), opening with a dreamy powderiness that then quickly warms revealing a hidden musk-like note that can read more masculine than feminine but is wonderful to relax with after a long day. On me, Amber Vanilla dries down to a warm sandalwood with amber that lasts for hours. 7 Sins from Sunday (Listed Notes: Jasmine, Lavender, Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Patchouli and Dark Cocoa Bean) In the vial, the lavender, amber and vanilla are most noticeable and if you happen to love the scent of freshly picked from the garden herbs, you will fall hard for Valhalla Soap Co.'s lavender note (I know I have). I can't get enough of it especially in 7 Sins from Sunday and Wishing Star. Applied the jasmine with lavender is centre stage with a very light dusting of cocoa but it seems as soon as it is noticed the delicious dark accord disappears sadly (my chemistry unfortunately always gobbles up chocolate notes). The sandalwood then commands the show along with the vanilla and amber lasting well into the next day. Overall a keeper for falling asleep with and I would love to try this fragrance in the bubbling bath melts. valhallasoap.com/scrubs/ The Honey & Herbs Organic Sugar Scrub is pretty enough to tempt a nibble out of the jar, smells like a step back to long-forgotten practices and above all allows you to just forget the outside modern world to focus on some much-needed pampering and relaxation time. Get ready for something so divine in every fashion that I can't recommend it enough to those who adore the inspirative and comforting aromas of rosemary, apricot, lavender and honey. Together these ingredients take me away and when I finally leave my water filled sanctuary my skin glows and I'm completely recharged with a light hint of herbs lingering on my warm skin and relaxed muscles. It is the sensation and scent experience only nature can provide and Valhalla Soap Co. has created the perfect formula in my book with their Honey & Herbs Organic Sugar Scrub. Try it for yourself and you'll begin hoarding jars like me. valhallasoap.com/the-real-deal-whipped-soap-shampoo/ My hair has never looked, smelled and felt so good all thanks to the independent shop products I have been using this year. Add another to my highly recommended success shelf because "The Real Deal" Whipped Soap & Shampoo by Valhalla Soap Co. has just replaced conventional shampoo and conditioner in my book and everyone needs to know about this wonderful creation. Getting straight to the reason for my excitement, the contents from this generously sized jar adds volume and incredible softness to my temperamental curls and because I ordered the Naken or Unscented (5 oz.) option I can mix a couple drops from any vial or bottle from my perfume oil collection into a spoonful of whipped soap to only later come out from behind the shower curtain smelling like my favourite scent potions ready for anything. valhallasoap.com/soaps/ If there ever was a lost art it is soap making, watch a video or attend a seminar on this fascinating process and it will give you a new appreciation for the lovely marbled bar of colour and fragrance you hold in your hand. Right now I have four bars (three sample sizes and one full sized) from this enchanting shop and each one is different in texture, appearance and scent profile. What they all share is they undoubtedly leave my skin soft with no tightness or any oily residue left behind and haven't stirred up any embarrassing skin problems that commercial soaps can have in store for those of us with sensitive skin. As mentioned above the scent profiles differ and here's what I have found. Alfheim (Notes: Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Citrus and Peppermint) *this (and a wrapped bar marked "unscented") were free samples that appeared in my first plunder box, thank you so much Donna and Matt!) For me, Alfheim is bright and refreshing with the citrus (you can even see specks of peel in the soap) and I prefer to use this little sample in the morning when I get home after a long night. It's extremely gentle and washes away my stubborn makeup with a mint and lemon lather that is almost edible (seriously everything this shop creates smells like you could eat it or close your eyes and inhale it all day long). I then follow up with my special moisturizer and serum (from Organic Fields of Heather) in those spots that are either dry or oily (depending on the day). I love that Alfheim has tea tree which wakes my nose up and gets me ready for the scent escape oils I put on before I go back into the dark to sleep the day away. *Unscented is destined to go to the child of a good friend who loves anything green and is allergic and sensitive to mainstream soaps and detergents. I have carefully tested and retested other soaps from this shop so hopefully this little wrapped bar will help and he will love it and ask for the special "dinosaur coloured soap" his auntie found for him. Green Witch (Description: "Sweet and earthy. Bright, bubbly citus notes combine with clean and green herbals, earthy florals and grounded with a smidge of forest floor. This effervecent bit of magick will have you longing to get outdoors and conjer some green, earthy magick of your own.") *this was a free sample that appeared in my second plunder, thank you so much Donna and Matt! I absolutely love these types of fragrance puzzles such as Green Witch. Right away I lose myself in the herbs and dried florals on top of the sample and the different shades of natural green in the soap (it looks like a cutaway piece of precious gemstone). I can see dried lavender buds, dandelion petals, perhaps marigold as well? The scent really reveals itself when water is applied and patchouli comes out and lingers on my skin along with hints of lemon with lavender. Green Witch is so aptly named as the notes combine to create a summer glade with a kindly barefoot earth witch leading you deeper into the forest as the cooling shadows from sun-dappled trees dance across your path. A very soothing and atmospheric fragrance. Lavender (Notes: heavenly unmussed with lavender) *I was fortunate to grab one of the last remaining bars from the "Oops" batch, that was meant to be Wishing Star. Excuse me as I just inhale the bag this soap is currently placed in. Ah, I can't express in this mere post how much I adore this soap and scent. THIS is how lavender is meant to be captured in a pure pampering form just waiting to be enjoyed. Nature created one of the most perfect fragrances with this herb and in my humble opinion it is best alone to delight and seduce those who appreciate and have been searching for such majestic simplicity. Like the rest of the different soaps I have just shared above, Lavender leaves my sensitive skin soft and not tight with no greasy residue or new breakouts and is marvellous to relax with after a long day (or night). This particular bar is extremely fragrant and is pure art with the crushed lavender buds peeking out of the bottom layer and a muted violet shade nestled on top with a star anise pod and even more lavender buds gracing everything. It's pretty enough to display in anyone's guest bathroom welcoming company but I want this beauty all to myself and I will take care and learn how to heat up the bar and cut it with a knife then store away the smaller chunks. Discover something just for you: Don't forget to explore this page and find out about Valhalla Soap Co.'s Plunder Point Program which I absolutely love and really appreciate as I plan out my next box of goods that need to be on my vanity. valhallasoap.com/faqs/ How about a custom oil? That's right this shop has this awesome opportunity available. What sounds like a dream blend to you? valhallasoap.com/custom-aromatic-oil-blend/ Have no idea where to even start? The Sales page may be exactly what you are looking for, here you will find a mystery bag of different products to experiment with and discover a new fragrance or luxurious bath treat all for yourself. valhallasoap.com/sale/ Sixteen92 sixteen92.com/ Vials: Enfant Terrible Le Demi-Monde Les Fleurs du Mal Montmartre Serres d'Auteuil One Scent at a Time: Enfant Terrible (Listed Notes: Apricot, papaya, honeysuckle blossom, clover honey, blond woods) In the vial: APRICOT, HONEY and LADIES POWDER it dances between youthful and chalky to mature and powdery. This vial had a nice long rest (almost a month) and it made a world of difference from when it first arrived. Applied: I'm still training my nose and Enfant Terrible is proving to be quite the unexpected puzzle, more of a honey note comes through at first versus apricot or papaya but I can clearly detect a juicy backdrop being present. There is something powdery but it can also read as chalky and only goes back to powdery if I take my time and concentrate on the notes. As this perfume dries the honeysuckle makes an entrance along with "green" honey and blond woods (all adding more positives toward my decision to keep this fragrance in my collection). For a perfume with a name that roughly translates to "terrible child," it's surprisingly delicate and more aging will only benefit this vial. I like this fragrance oddly and can see myself reaching for it when I want something slightly different but still wearable for the workplace setting. Le Demi-Monde (Listed Notes: Gardenia petal, Mailette lavender, oakmoss, soft suede opera gloves, chilled champagne) FRAGRANCE IS TO BE Featured in a special edition article coming soon Les Fleurs du Mal (Listed Notes: Jonquil, night orchid, turned earth, cold stone, wild musk) In the vial: One of the most gorgeous atmospherics it has ever been my pleasure to encounter in the indie fragrance world! It's COLD STONE and a bouquet DAFFODILS with DIRT sprinkled on the petals, this dear readers is SPRING and the scent I have been searching for! It's melancholy, nostalgic and perfect for a rainy night. Applied: I am one happy lady right now and I bid you adieu for a time as I can't believe the scent I have been searching for actually exists and I will go about my day enjoying...wait...no...it's dryer sheets! My nose may love the incredible properties of jonquils (daffodils) but my chemistry turns that note from nature to laundry items (this is the second time now from two different houses of fragrances so it must be me). Admittedly the cold stone element (with less noticeable dirt) is still present but it is like an expensive dryer sheet has fallen onto a cold stone path. With a sad heavy heart, I must say Les Fleurs du Mal is not for me. I'm not having very good luck with this collection so far but call me stubborn this vial is staying in my spring cache (maybe I can sprinkle it on my pillows or find another use for it or perhaps I could try to make a barrier between my skin and this oil...or...I don't know anymore.) (**please remember everyone's skin chemistry is different and what my chemistry does with one note may not happen on someone else. That's the unique beauty of perfume oils, they react with everyone differently- please don't hesitate to try a sample of something if it interests you). ***THIS FRAGRANCE IS TO BE REVISTED IN SPRING 2019 Montmartre (Listed Notes and Descriptions: Feathered fans, sugared absinthe, silk stockings, faded perfume, new lipstick, warm skin, the smoky haze of hot stage lights) In the vial: LIPSTICK and LICORICE with a creamy MINT-like note. Not going to lie, I like this and it smells oddly familiar as it reminds me of Telepathy and has a touch of nostalgia with the top notes. Applied: I saw others compare Montmartre to Bruise Violet and I can see where that could come from, the lipstick is unmistakable resembling the scandalously evoking perfume but for me that's where the similarity stops because there is a creaminess draping over the lipstick accord and for a time the licorice with mint is more dominant on me. As it dries further the lipstick note fades and I am left with something completely unexpected which is reminding me of a breath of thin mint cookies (I have no idea how the above-listed notes create this familiar and playful end result but I'm in love). This is another perfume that stays close to my skin and I can see myself gladly wearing this when I have a craving for a not so obvious dessert-like fragrance (and when I need to just lose myself in a comforting distraction). Serres d'Auteuil (Listed Notes: Spring cherry blossom, pink pepper, Grasse rose, hothouse ferns, warm sun, sweet heliotrope) In the vial: What we have here is another hopeful favourite. This is a strangely beautiful atmospheric that is a perfect scent translation of its name (Greenhouses of Auteuil) with an amazing realistic humid element (I won't get too excited until I apply it). Applied: ...and Ladies and Gentlemen we have just found the best fragrance in this collection! Serres d'Auteuil is a harmonic and poetic scent medley of flora and warm atmosphere that I can't tear myself away from. Sixteen92 really loves to pull the unexpected and this comforting natural smelling blend is like solitude in the greenhouse where you can just ignore the outside noisy world and get back to beauty, rejuvenation and reflection. Right away I am welcomed with a peppery green note that becomes sweeter with creaminess (that must be the heliotrope that is amping as it dries) and it seems my chemistry wants to sincerely apologize for ruining the previous hours of trying vials because Serres d'Auteuil is only getting better with a now introduced vanilla note along with the magnificent greenery staying centered creating an absolutely sublime experience all around the clock (lasting well into the next day). I may have to suspend my annoying price cap and splurge on a 10ml bottle of this marvel (I wish this shop had bath bombs or melts, this scent would be perfect to relax in). Combined Thoughts: When I heard the theme for the Spring 2017 collection was inspired by turn-of-the-century Paris and the Belle Époque period I was expecting something completely obvious with cabaret, wine and scandalous red hot romance mixed casually with powder and poetry. I believe sometimes I can become easily distracted by flashy topics and lose sight of what an era really represented. La Belle Époque was a time of achievements and optimism (these were the years before the Great War destroyed so much for so many), not immoral gimmicks (although alot of that supposedly happened during that era and it's all you see promoted on the silver screen when mentioned) it was about finding beauty in the everyday and trying to better the world with different ideas. This spring collection represents that with more of a garden atmospheric twirl of scents, I'm guessing mirroring the idea of new beginnings (perfect for the season don't you think?) Ultimately this is someone's art and although I didn't quite understand at first I do have a better view now and even though my chemistry basically worked against everything I wanted to love from the listed notes, I still enjoyed the completed message these vials held and would like to either try them again or find different ways to use the oils. I will also seriously consider getting a bottle of Serres d'Auteuil and tuck Montmartre in my desk at work. Le Fleurs de Mal may go in a scent locket and believe it or not I do enjoy smelling the vial or placing a tiny dab of Le Demi-Monde on a handkerchief when I am reading about anything set during the Gilded Age and Enfant Terrible is still aging but may also go in a scent locket as well. In the end, all keepers and I can't wait to see what other themes from Sixteen92 will be arriving at my door soon. sixteen92.com One Note at a Time: Pheromone Alchemy C24 by Alkemia Perfumes (An Introvert's Little Secret Helper)5/17/2018
Alkemia Perfumes alkemia.etsy.com Combined Thoughts: Pheromone Alchemy C24 by Alkemia Perfumes is an absolute wonder as it continues to fascinate me how a vial of modern mad science (that must be mixed with a touch of hidden magic) can positively affect someone's self-confidence. It has become the invisible encouragement this wallflower needed to seat instead of bolting for the door and continues to surprise me as I wish to practice more on perfecting my social skills (especially in the workplace). I really shouldn't share this little secret gem but it's honestly too good to not share! Brava Alkemia and thank you for creating such a unique and useful item. In the bottle: It's nearly odourless but there is a faint trace of rubbing alcohol and an even more diluted scent (a wisp of Enigma) but you nearly have to touch the applicator to your nose and concentrate to get anything. Applied: When the contents from the distinctive bottle are first applied there is indeed an extremely light scent that soon fades and absorbs quickly into your skin (the classy velvet pouch comes with a card of instructions that are very clear only ONE drop is needed from the small bottle pipette). A final perfume selection is all that is required after that (I have been wearing Echoed Ecstasy) and then C24 turns into an introvert's little secret helper. *It should also be noted that the perfume you place on top only seems to intensify then soon deepen and you may even pick up on hidden notes in your favourite bottles and vials you never noticed before (the florals in Echoed Ecstasy really stand out with the strawberry creating an elegant pink champagne that tickles my nose and lasts well into the next day; usually it was sweet melon with delicate ginger ale-like bubbles). Now for the sake of argument perhaps it's all psychological, that when you apply C24 you want it to perform so you dress a little more carefully and hold your head up more. You also seem to sit straighter and you even try to smile more (making yourself seem more approachable) but believe what you want because all I know is this stuff works! I have been approached (even with my back turned) by complete strangers and getting compliments left and right. I admit it is still a tad overwhelming as I usually sit quietly and rush from events or large groups as soon as possible but when I finally leave wearing C24 I feel different than I usually would. It's a strange and wonderful feeling to be honest and I have been experimenting with this social rescue remedy elixir (as well with the botanical pheromones in certain vials) at the workplace. All signs point to YES something unseen and incredible is present and works favourably with my chemistry. Who knows what this could mean as I practice more on basic social skills and let myself shine, perhaps this is the year for great things to happen and others to follow! Curious? In The Romanov Empress, we follow the voice of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna (Princess Marie Sophie Frederikke Dagmar/Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna) or Minnie as she races down a long glittering corridor past portraits of figures attached to unimaginable tragedy, political struggles, bitter rivalries and tableaus of impending bloody anarchy. This is a historical drama if there ever was one as events unfold and you hold your breath when explosive scenes come to life. It's quite the story that pulls you in and will have many reaching for additional works about the Romanov Dynasty but for a few readers, they may wish they found another title or could replace negatives with positives. To be honest, the descriptive scenes at times brutal and graphic were still handled with a respectful approach and for a curious reader just hearing so many infamous names and titles of Russian and English Royalty for the first time, you are sure to create a mental outline of certain characters that will hopefully carry over to other interests and continued reading to smooth out any final mental portrait. Perhaps this type of novel is more geared toward a newer audience which is fantastic to see but for those of us who already know the illustrious names and connection of Courts, The Romanov Empress begins to show the tarnish under the flash and dazzle in the first couple of chapters (and then continues) with poor character dialogue (that just rambles and sounds like an emotionless recitation of an encyclopedia article) and odd placements of conclusions (every chapter had to end with dramatic foreshadowing, awkward boudoir scene, another cigarette break or a bomb blast). These kinds of noticeable negatives were soldered between excellent descriptions of court life and easy to follow politics that I must say overall impressed me and are worth recommending to anyone but I couldn't ignore the repetitive dialogue that only ended with me seriously distrusting the narrator and wishing another voice to speak up. By the final page, I had enough and believe me I wanted to love this novel. It just wasn't what I was hoping for and I think one personal negative of this book fixating on animosity between certain family members to the point where it felt there was an underlying agenda pushed me to the edge. Still in a way I'm glad I read The Romanov Empress it has shown me how far I have come with my tastes on fiction (or personal studies) but I believe the end of my historical fiction journey has been reached and I should only seek out non-fiction with a pairing of narrative flare in the pages when it comes to fascinating and mysterious topics such as The House of Romanov in the future. With thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for kindly sending me an advanced copy of The Romanov Empress: A Novel of Tsarina Maria Feodorovna Title Expected to be Released: July 10, 2018 -EGP/April 2018 It seemed Old Man Winter sure had a wicked axe to grind these past couple of months as they were ones for the books. I don't think I can remember a more unpredictable season and frankly, I won't miss winter any time soon. Ah, but what I will miss are my new favourite comfortable accessories for the frigid winds and biting cold as I tuck away my fabulous scarves by UniveralZone (universalzone.etsy.com). There those three special scarves will wait in my antique vanity and it's a shocking thought that in only in another five to six short months this reprieve of sun with green everywhere will end. Oh well atleast I will be well prepared for what may come when that pesky Jack Frost starts nipping at my nose. I finally have three of my favourite books represented and here is my newest addition (ignore the wrinkles that only means it's well-loved): But that's not all, I am also fortunate to have this tote for the coming season that adds an extra touch to my everyday style and I will be carrying this unique bag along with me when the local book/library fairs start up very soon (it's been a huge hit at my workplace as well).
|
Currently Reading:
Also listening to:
Disclaimers
In accordance with FTC Guidelines, I disclose how I obtained every title for review at As The Final Page Turns (whether that be by ARC, purchased (on nook, kindle or specially ordered hardbacks) Audible version or simply borrowed at my local library). Please note: titles reviewed that are ARCS (Advanced Reader Copies) are free review copies of books that are given by publishers (these ARCS can be found at NetGalley or Edelweiss). Categories
All
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
|