When asked for the perfect birthday gift to present a lady who obsesses over certain parts of history, adores to be pampered in such a way and has an unsettling proclivity for reading different genres and seeking out trivia all about lovely deadly poisons, what would you get? Why the Ave Victoria kit by the wicked brilliant minds at The Poisoners Guild of course and here it is in all its dark splendour... Cyanide (Notes: Creamy oleander blossoms, absinthe liqueur, and iron-distilled patchouli delicately bathed in a non-toxic perfumer's accord of potassium cyanide) -created by Alkemia Perfumes Ah, the scent of what you would imagine waiting in a marked gentleman's cup from a jilted Victorian lover. What a delightful sinister oil for my collection. On me, Cyanide morphs from fruity almond to (as I can only describe as) absinthe-soaked marshmallows and shards of metal. The oleander creates more of a vanilla powdery finish hours later and I would say this perfume is more in the realm of spring to summer but I will be reaching for Cyanide when winter settles in as well. It's deceptively sweet, pretty and smells positively lethal. This scent potion captures the theme magnificently and is one to wear to keep others guessing. Laudanum (Notes: Opium, saffron, ambergris accord, black currant, plum, bergamot, nutmeg, vanilla, black oak, cedar, smoked patchouli, amber, amyris, black pepper, vetiver, white musk) -created by Hexennacht This is no sweet lullaby in a bottle but one mysterious seductive fragrance that should come with accessories, preferably a racy black or red negligee and thigh high silk stockings and garters to wear. The offered notes may say or give the impression of innocent and perhaps slightly spicy or fruity sweet but Laudanum becomes completely boudoir-worthy and burlesque when this beyond intriguing blend touches your skin. Wow, this is something else! On me, the white musk commands the show and as the minutes tick by the amber and nutmeg slowly come forth with plum and depending on where I place the oil many other notes appear and morph as well (going from powdery to boozy), turning my head and making me desire it all. I feel so confident wanting to dive into the back of my wardrobe to explore all the while singing "Let me be good to you" and "I wanna be loved by you". Hours later, it's fit for a fearless mistress or a lady of the evening and I can see myself wearing this oil with a little special smile when I attend different historical reenactments (it has that vintage pinup or old glamour quality you just don't find anymore in this modern world and deserves to be placed in an authentic crystal atomizer). Laudanum is one perfume that brings out the desire to visit your hidden secret side and it may just surprise you what that side is. Boop-boop-a-doop! Morphine (Notes: Steamed milk, lavender buds, honeyed apricots, chamomile tea, honey, white amber) -created by Hexennacht With some patient aging, Morphine has softened and is like finding the fluffiest elegant blanket you can and wrapping yourself in it. Depending on where I place the oil the sweet apricot or lavender with milk amps (I'm in love with the soothing lavender warmed milk combination I can distinctly smell in the crook of my arms, while my wrists project the sweet amber and apricot). Yes, a creamy (maybe even a little buttery) quality is present with the steamed milk that smells honestly hot then warm (I can even taste it on the back of my tongue, that in itself is so nifty!) and it only pulls me into peace and pleasant visions. It also lasts quite a while (going on 8 hours now). Morphine is definitely a soothing complex blend that deserves more attention and is delightful if you love apricot, sweet amber, lightly drizzled honey (NO beeswax or that disappointing candle wax scent that can come from honey notes) and lavender infused milk . It also beautifully showcases some serious scent artistry. What a joy to have this bottle in my cache of sleep scent potions. Opium ("A house blend of cask-aged dragonsblood, a subued perfumed haze of jasmine and devil's trumpet.") -created by Strange Fire and Fumery My first ever incense and every time now I burn one of these sticks (I need to order more, I'm almost out) I want to gather a bunch of silk and velvet pillows build a huge pile of them and just fall back. This fragrance combination is just divine in every way. For me, I can only describe Opium as floral marshmallows. It's light (ideal if you are curious about trying incense), inviting and plain unique. Plus each stick burns nearly an hour. I see this as the beginning of another collection *more thoughts to follow in the coming months as this was indeed only the beginning of my incense scent journey. Ether candle (An ethereal blend of elderflower, moonflower and ozone) -created by Strange Fire & Fumery For a small votive, this candle releases an impressive throw that can cover a whole kitchen. The scent is clean, crisp and even a little addicting. Each time I light it, it seems to clear the room of any heaviness and I'm beginning to really fall for anything with moonflower listed in a creation. It's powdery but somehow vintage, haunting but also comforting. 3 Curated Teas Earl Grey De La Creme Tea (Rooibos tea, cornflowers, vanilla extract, bergamot extract) -from Steepologie I'm still a tea novice and Earl Grey De La Creme may be exactly someone else's ideal blend but my taste choice is still developing and I think this is a tad too robust for me. Brewing, chilling the tea then carbonating adds an interesting flavour to everything but I'm not sure I would recommend that (it oddly tastes like tobacco). Well, that was a failed experiment but this tea definitely wakes me up and keeps my senses alert. Maybe it needs more honey or dash of milk to temper the harsh smokiness. Lemon Mint Cooler Tea (Lemon peel, mint leaves, lemon myrtle) -from Steepologie Oh, that's much better and here is one blend that I can't stop sipping and saying "Mmm!". This is a mighty fine brew that is refreshing but has some spice to it and surprisingly matches the weather today as it is a cosy drink to clear your senses with. Hot or chilled and bubbly Lemon Mint Cooler Tea is another future repurchase. Royal Velvet Tea (Green peony white tea, black currant pieces, cornflowers, passion fruit extract, bergamot extract) -from Steepologie Ah, saved the best for last as this tea is so gorgeous and refined. I've never tasted anything like it and it makes a flipping amazing bubbly tea that I love to take to work or sit sipping while I type away. I think I prefer fruity teas or smooth vanilla blends and Royal Velvet Tea is the crown jewel of delicous fruit tea in my pantry. I get every note and there is an unexpected floral taste that is subtle and lovely. I'm rationing the bag as I don't know if I will ever find another tea like this. *In addition to the above-listed fragrant items my box was filled with beautiful dried flowers, a darling handkerchief that is in my purse right now, violet pastille candies (also in my purse) and entertaining ephemera regarding the Victorian Era. Overall, this lady was quite pleased with her birthday gift and is looking forward to the next deadly historical event to be showcased in scent and creative fiction. Highly recommend. We all have those dark morbid topics of fascination that garner uncomfortable side looks from polite society. It can be downright mortifying to be judged in some circles but an indescribable joy to find an unexpected fellow soul who also harbours a guarded interest in the strange, warped and what has been deemed the plain unpleasant to think or speak of. Well please consider me a fellow soul if you happen to have a shelf (or three) dedicated to morbid history or probably know more tidbits on tragic legends, bizarre superstitions and insidious bygone crime cases than all may be proper for a lady to know. And if you also happen to enjoy stepping out into the modern world with the above categories of knowledge tucked away for rainy day conversations (or long dinner parties) and desire a finishing touch of the unique past to add to your everyday life, I know just the place us macabre historymagpies have been waiting and searching for... The Poisoners Guild (https://poisonersguild.com/) is the shop you need to see as this creative storefront is where "The Poisoners" (masters of scent potions and mistresses of olfactory magic from our favourite houses of fragrance) converse with the unconventional saints of this special guild to mix and blend representative forms of scents that arrive at your door in themed parcels. Imagine it, our darkest curiosities centred around the deadly and lovely herbs, toxic flowers and mysterious elements of others' purest dread serving as inspiration that we can proudly wear into the office or share as unique gifts. So prepare for one of a kind treats for the senses, wicked imaginations and dark little hearts everywhere because the Poisoners Guild is open for business! Well then, curious to know more? I know I sure was once I became aware of the splendid concept and beheld the opening page for the first time, so I ordered a few items from the guild that arrived in lightning quick time (ordered Thursday and received Monday). Even though I missed the initial launch of the first box (or kit as they are called) I was able to pick up a couple things that called to and intrigued me all the more with promises of beloved hyacinths gracing my home with their intoxicating scent composition and a gourmand-like perfume I kept seeing others rave about. I may have committed the ultimate sin of owning perfume oil which is testing it right out of the mailbox but it was well worth it and I can tell this is only the beginning of something amazing: Nicotine (Listed Notes: Oscuro Cigars, Pipe Smoke, Fresh-Cut Tobacco, Rum-Dipped Cigarillos, Cacao Shisha, Vanillic Vape Clouds.) -created by Hexennacht *I compared my jotted thoughts from when the bottle first arrived to tonight (about a two week span of time) In the bottle: A delectable almost BUTTERSCOTCH VANILLA-like blending that makes me crave toffee. It almost reminds me of a Heath bar with an edge. The tobacco is there if you take your time to search for it and a dusting of CACAO is present as well. Applied: A delicious aroma of butterscotch or toffee hits my nose at first and the tobacco slowly appears deepening the experience warming up everything along with the chocolate. At this point, Nicotine reminds me of another perfume I currently own and absolutely love with a surprisingly regal resinous quality to it. Sadly my skin chemistry causes the tempered cacao note to fade away in about 5 minutes but the other notes stay strong and this pleasant mixture of sweet and warmth continues to impress as hours later traces of vanilla linger on my skin. More of a blustery autumn day type of fragrance, I still find myself currently curling up with a good mystery novel and drifting off to eased slumber wearing this oil. Overall, Nicotine is a fine perfume choice for those of us who can't stand the disgusting suffocating chemical smell of cigarettes but only wish for scent nostalgia and adore the unmistakable aroma of real tobacco from a pipe. Spreading the knowledge: Agatha Christie's 1935 novel Three Act Tragedy (in the United States it can be found under the title: Murder in Three) is the only one of her books that nicotine plays a special deadly role. Nightshade (description: "Delicate hyacinths, a heady kick of musks and garden greens hiding a deadly secret.") -created by Moonbeams Wax Meltz Melted: Nightshade is such a brilliantly executed fragrance and I want this type of melt always present in my home. I admit I wasn't so sure at first as I could only detect a clean floral medley that was pretty but light on notes other than jasmine. As I went about to get ready for work something changed within an hour and my home was filled with an undeniably gorgeous aroma of fresh hyacinths and blooming florals that I couldn't believe all came from a mini sparkly square. Going out the door I noticed faded hints of lilac, rose (maybe even a drop of amber?) and a beckoning powdery sweetness to everything that made me wish Nightshade also came in perfume form as it is a romantic fragrance ideal for spring and early summer. Finally, it may be the magpie in me but the gold glitter against the pale green when Nightshade melts then dries is a beautiful final touch to this piece of scentart and I must have more (I foresee another type of fragrance collection beginning here). Spreading the knowledge: The Guild's own unconventional patron saint Locusta of Gaul was believed to have instructed a wife how to use Deadly Nightshade to poison an Emperor. Overall Thoughts: Ultimately this was a fantastic way to explore other indie fragrance businesses and even learn new points of trivia. I may have only had the opportunity to experience two creations but they both delightfully showcased each creator's talents and their deadly influences. Needless to say, I'm quite smitten by the Poisoners Guild and can't wait to see what other themed boxes "the poisoners" have in store (there are so many possibilities from dark history that can serve as further inspiration). BE ON THE LOOKOUT: The newest box to be unveiled by The Guild is: Ave Victoria "a collection of poisons inspired by the underworld of Victorian London". poisonersguild.com/ *Review to follow in August |
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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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