Historical Fantasy Dinner Parties: Dinner Two. The 14th Century. An historical collaboration between OfGraveConcern and myself Another installment of the Historical Fantasy Dinners, where the spirit of the age is drunk, the rivalries bespoke, and streams of murderous consciousness, with chivalric conversation fill the miasma. Follow @ofgrave.concern and @historymagpie for more spirit of history. ✳All artwork credit goes to @ofgrave.concern "Guess who's coming to dinner" Historical Fantasy Dinner Parties: Dinner Two. The 14th Century. An historical collaboration between OfGraveConcern and myself See post tomorrow. Will the evening be a success, or a scene of nationalist murder, geocidal rivalry, and the death throes from the great pestilence? You are invited to witness… ✴Full credit of all pertaining artwork goes to the owner of OfGraveConcern. Say the words "peanut butter, spice, marshmallow, lilac, pomegranate and frankincense" all in the same breath and I'll show you my pocketbook, haha. Astrid Perfumes (formerly Blooddrop) has been on my radar for years and I took a little gamble with reaching for 2 vials from different collections from a trusted decanter (Ajevie). At the end of the night, I had one beautifully wicked find and one that will be surrendered to a whipped soap treatment, but I'm jumping ahead of myself. These were my thoughts after a LONG winter's nap for both of these vials. Peanut Butter Pony (Peanut butter cookie accord, marshmallow, and cinnamon sugar buttercream) So many promises and hopes were laid on this one mini dram purchase and once applied and settled, I get a delightful cinnamon buttercream aroma with the crumbs of a leftover Peanut Butter cookie, it leaves me wanting more and thinking of the cookies of Christmases Past. It's gentle (too much so) and delicious but nothing to write home about to be honest. When it comes to the anticipated marshmallow, it is evident and I can add my (off key) voice to the choir about Astrid Perfume's infamous Marshmallow accord, it's impressive and realistic but again I'm hungry for more of it. The search continues for my dream peanut butter cookie fragrance that lasts and Peanut Butter Pony will be trotting off to a whipped soap/deep conditioning treatment one of these nights so my curls can carry a waft of wintertime delights. The Longest Night (Shimmering plum, lilac blossom accord, velvety black amber, sanguine pomegranate, and frankincense.) Mmmhm, this is the Queen of the Underworld on a date night with her King (or thrall)! He's under her power and oh how beautifully wicked she looks and can be in a spangled mantle of dark purple and black, her eyes glow, snap and flash in the flames pulling in her desired. The world above them sleeps in a torrent of ice and dreams of spring but in the cold darkness they reign and toss petals into the river and watch as the deep endless waters drown and consume. This is a gorgeous marriage of forbidden and lore-laced fruits, shimmering resins and the ghost of lilac blossoms. It somehow crackles and yet deepens with every previous note creating a dark romance and vision I never want to escape. Needless to say a full bottle of The Longest Night will be joining a certain red roped-off corner of my collection someday. Astrid Perfume What do you get delivered to your door when you cross captivating pumpkins, spice, dark fruits and Christmas cookies with much-needed self-care practices (and a bit of an obsession)? Why the largest indie haul to date (and box on my breezeway) from MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean of course! Here is my trove of Halloween/Yule 2021 and my thoughts (buckle up buttercups, this one is a long overdue one!). -Can we just stop and marvel at the incredible themed artwork that accompanies this indie shop's creations and the time and attention that goes into each parcel. It's like unboxing an exquisite layered cake every time I order. Spray-in Hair Detangler I'll open this rambling long-overdue review by first commenting on MoonaLisa's Hair Detangler formula which is something my vanity table will never be seen without. It's not only a compulsion anymore but an absolute necessity to stock up with as many bottles of these hair-loving elixirs as I can afford every season and then hoard them away to treat myself to a unique blend every morning and night. With my past waist-length mane, I run through a generous sized bottle about every odd month and a half and I truly receive my full money's worth with these products (my hair has never looked or felt this healthy and I can't stop touching my soft manageable hair now). The longevity of the fragrances varies between each blend, however, I have discovered citrus and spice based bottles can last days in my hair. I know I keep saying this every post when it comes to MoonaLisa but it's the truth: Where has this product been all my life? S'mores & Hot Cocoa (Classic marshmallow, buttery graham crackers and rich chocolate paired with steaming hot cocoa) I had to treat my locks to the holy grail of hot cocoa fragrances I have found in the indie realm and just as with the perfume (and dusting powder and bath brew) it's magnificent with a warm rich depth of realistic chocolate, buttery graham crackers and fluffy marshmallows that become melted lumps of nostalgia and pure bliss with every gust of cold wind. Absolutely a recommendation for those of us with an incurable sweet tooth and anyone desiring to revisit to happier days of your youth. Where's My Pie (Scented over the top with everything by the kitchen sink! Buttery flaky pie crust, cinnamon, pumpkin, carrot, caramel, clove, nutmeg, whipped cream and pecan to just name a few) As an avid baker, I can attest this smells like a spread of several mouth-watering prepared pies and nutty delicacies with even a crusty buttery bread pudding rolled on the side. It may all sound tooth-achingly sweet but it's a brilliantly balanced blend and is a comforting mashup of autumnal, winter and even early spring pastries with a slice of cream cheese topped carrot cake peeking out. When it comes to a comparison between the perfume oil versus the hair detangler, more butter and caramel are pronounced on my skin whilst spice and whipped cream are wonderfully entangled in my curls. Another instant favourite and repurchase. Whole (Sweet Orange, Neroli (Orange Blossom) & Petitgrain. Warming, soothing and refreshing to the spirit. This is a very special blend using every part of the orange tree: the leaves, fruit, rind and twig, helping you feel whole again.) 99% of this order were repurchases or doubling up on the detanglers or dusting powders from the perfume samples I had the amazing opportunity to try. Whole blew me away in 2019 and I had to get more of this citrus spiced meditative fragrance as I found it helped me calm down after particularly harsh nights and at the same time channelled 18th-Century French Nobility and I felt a centred diamond at my vanity brushing this scent into my curls. It's still magic, lasts days in my hair and I'm very particular about citrus scents so for Whole to be a repurchase speaks volumes in my book. Winter Porridge with Apple Strudel (Hot buttery oats with a slightly spiced baked apple strudel with a heart of warming goodness.) Another note I'm a bit finicky about is apple and this bottle was a last minute addition to my basket as I found purchasing the detanglers is the ideal way for me to try out unfamiliar blends for myself (even if the scents aren't perfect matches for my nose, they are used up to the last drop). Winter Porridge with Apple Strudel was a lovely surprise and I fell quite hard for the realistic aroma of oats swirled/spiced apples accompanying me through my work shifts during fall into winter. Very comforting and homey and I want Apple Brown Betty now to compare. Mother's Milk (Warming and comforting Almond milk with a touch of honey and oats) Sweet and creamy but not a favourite oddly. It's a cold day when I'm not making embarrassing noises when I spray my hair and brush out my mane with a detangler from Moona and this one was decent but wasn't for me (I think my hair just overbalanced the almond to the other delicious notes). I still used up every drop and found a perfect match instead with Dicken's Faire when it came to almonds. Jingle Jelly Donuts (The irresistible scent of sugary fried dough, sweet vanilla and gobs of oozing strawberry jam) For the life of me, I can't recall what came first the research about doughnuts and scents men find attractive and addictive OR the "Behind the Gates" opportunity to sample the perfume oil format of this bottle first? Well in any case this one is delectable with homemade strawberry jam inside a shell of dough and drizzled in warm vanilla glaze with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. No guilt, no calories just an addictive series of ingredients that is hard to stop spritzing and slathering. The vanilla glaze is more prominent in my curls with the dark strawberry jam and a hint of pine boughs whilst in the perfume my skin amps the powdered sugared dough with the photo-realistic jam as a middle note. No matter where I huff, I'm in love. I shall report back if that study about scents men are attracted to is just hyped bogus or not (or should I say, "dough"not, haha). Dicken's Faire (A reformulation of Moona's favourite place in the world to be this time of the year! The mouth-watering scent of sugared roasting almonds, vanilla and spice you can smell throughout the entire grounds!) After the miss with Mother's Milk, I admit I was a bit gun shy to open Dicken's Faire then, of course, it only took one spritz and I was immediately regretting not using it earlier or donning it for special events that would have been perfect to match the delicious atmosphere and mood Dicken's Faire supplies. It's a divine balance of creamy buttery spice, roasted almonds, vanilla and honey that lasts days in my hair and the following year I went back for seconds and thirds are on the list in the form of the perfume bottle joining my collection in 2022. If you are a fellow little spice whore, Dicken's Faire is a must to try! Cinnamon Blackberry Crunch (A delicious blend of cinnamon sugared blackberries topping an irresistible confectionery crunch!) This was one of the first blends I ever tried from this enchanting indie shop and years later it's still sublime! It's buttery, toothsome fruit with spice sprinkled on top and even has realistic crunchy crumbles and a squeeze of lemon to top it off. Exactly as it says on the tin and you can only imagine the embarrassing noises I make when my locks lift and trap the intoxicating spice and dark fruit from this bottle, haha. Iced Gingerbread (Realistic Gingerbread blend with mild nostalgic Yuletide spice and white icing) Speaking of making awkward loud noises of happiness, we have arrived to another holy grail and repurchase for life for me. In whatever format, THIS is the gingerbread fragrance of my dreams and is the ideal gingerbread scent sealed in a bottle along with a whiff of iced animal crackers. In my hair, the heavenly spice and vanilla intertwine my senses and I could flop back and huff my locks whilst tapping my red kitten heels to the tune of "Santa Baby" that plays in the background of my brain when I spritz or slather this spiced confection. I can't recommend Iced Gingerbread enough. Nonna's Christmas Cookies (A tribute to KC's (Mooman) Sicilian Great-Grandmother. Made just like KC's Nonna would make her special cookies every year! A little of this and a little of that). To round out this scrumptious cookie jar collection of scents for my crown I doubled up on Nonna's Christmas Cookies which to my nose is fresh oatmeal cookies from the oven drizzled in white chocolate, a hint of warm spice and realistic milky creaminess that amplifies in my hair. Absolutely magnificent in every way and goes on to delight and entice those around me for 2 days before fading completely. Dusting Powders I said it once and I'll say it again, one of my true guilty pleasures in life is dusting powders and happily rolling around like a chinchilla in a fragrant dust bath of gourmands and florals. It's one of the ultimate self-pampering gifts one can buy for oneself and MoonaLisa's formula still reigns as the best I have found and tried for myself. The formula never cakes or clumps and the aromas last well into the next day and I love how they peek out of my clothes in a little delectable wafts when I need them the most. Cinnamon Blackberry Crunch (A delicious blend of cinnamon sugared blackberries topping an irresistible confectionery crunch!) *see above, no difference between the hair detangler, argan oil, perfume and dusting powder formats. All toothsome and addictive. The Rumpkin! (Delicious pumpkin goodies with a twist of fresh sweet lavender essential oil) My darling, my love, my perfect marriage of spiced pumpkin and lavender; you are home! Now curiously on my skin with the perfume, bath brew and dusting powder the hidden apples, smoke and white chocolate are noticeable versus in the detangler and argan oil which is more creamy spiced pumpkin and lavender with the slightest hint of sweet bonfire smoke. The Rumpkin! still holds so many bewitching secrets and surprises and I can't ramble about this scent potion enough. Snow Ice (Fond memories Moona has when a child at camp during the Nevada snows making natural "ice cream" from ice cold snow, condensed milk, sugar and vanilla extract. This scent is reminiscent of that: sweet crystallized vanilla sugar and cream) Whether on my skin or in my hair this one is a true masterpiece of a gourmand as it's dreamy but never childish or cloying. Snow Ice finishes off any look for the night and I love I leave the tiniest bit of a crystallized vanilla trail in my wake with this lovely realistic creamy vanilla blend. In the dusting powder, this one is pure bliss when it reacts with my heated skin and I can smell it through a thick fuzzy sweater. It's akin to a sweet hug. Eclipse (A full on powdery musky amber. Full bodied, earthy, sweet and sensuous. Represents sensuality) Eclipse was a new olfactory experiment for myself and remains a bit of a mystery. I know I smell jasmine, rose and patchouli and of course amber musk but there is something else in this esoteric love potion of a scent that catches my attention at different times of wear. It really does make you feel like dancing out in the moonlight to a Fleetwood Mac or Lana Del Rey song. My canister is nearly empty after others caught a whiff and demanded I share, haha. I guess I need to repurchase in 2022. Nonna's Christmas Cookies (A tribute to KC's (Mooman) Sicilian Great-Grandmother. Made just like KC's Nonna would make her special cookies every year! A little of this and a little of that). *see above, no difference between the hair detangler, hair conditioner, perfume and dusting powder formats. All tempt just one bite or lick. Argan Oil Hair Rescue I can't have or praise the detangler without mentioning the argan oil formula MoonaLisa offers because they are a match made in hair heaven and these products have worked absolute magic on my tresses (I'm still getting used to all the compliments I receive and being told I have "fairytale hair" *blushes*). I have never had such shiny healthy-looking hair. The argan oil I use after I have brushed out my mane with the aid of the detangler then I add a dime-size amount of argan oil in different scents to the ends of my hair. If I have any excess left I place that in the back of my head. I run thru a bottle about every 3 months and they are worth every penny. Cinnamon Blackberry Crunch (A delicious blend of cinnamon sugared blackberries topping an irresistible confectionery crunch!) *see above, no difference between the hair detangler, argan oil, perfume and dusting powder formats. All toothsome and addictive. Hair Conditioner Short and sweet- a fabulous formula that tackles my thick hair with hardly an end tangle and only gifts me with softness, shine and a bonus of added scent to my locks. The bottle that keeps on giving, haha! Iced Gingerbread (Realistic Gingerbread blend with mild nostalgic Yuletide spice and white icing) This was my first bottle of the hair conditioner but certainly not my last as I found it was another fantastic way to try out fragrances in the seasonal listing for a lower price and now I have a long pretty row of bottles for every mood and craving. For those curious, the Hair Conditioner formula is thick and creamy and serves well for a deep conditioning treatment and the scents last out of the tub. One more lifelong repurchase option for myself to ramble about. Extras/Gifts Cranberry Spiced Shortbread Hair Detangler (Juicy ripe Cranberries ready to burst with a subtle touch of Christmas spices topping warm and buttery shortbread cookies.) A fellow avid gourmand collector's miss became my treasure as I was gifted Cranberry Spiced Shortbread (thank you so much again, Samantha!) and I ended up adoring it so much I went back for my own cobalt blue bottle in 2021. Now oddly the perfume version of Cranberry Spiced Shortbread morphed unexpectedly on me and even though I enjoyed the realistic sogginess of the almost bubbly cranberry and buttery shortbread, the detangler is all crackle and realistic fizz of a cranberry drink with more creamy woody spice that lasts a full 3 days in my hair. An instant uplifting and giggle-worthy fragrance. Hygge Potion Lotion (The Danish word, pronounced "hoo-ga", is usually translated into English as "coziness". Picture sitting by a fireplace wearing your softest cozy slipper-socks, surrounded by the warm glow of candles, soft music playing, drinking mulled wine and hot coffees while eating hot Danish pastries! That is Hygge! Notes include: Gentely spiced wine and coffees, wafting of warm Beeswax with subtle smokiness with a background of Danish pastry!) Another rare miss for another that turned in a new jewel for my morning sleep routine. The lotion is all lovely vanilla cheese danish one me with a backing of equally realistic beeswax candles and the perfume version is a whole storybook scene of warmth, peace and security with familiar black coffee opening then gently giving way to the under notes. The scent of the lotion lingers for 10 hours and sees me out the door for the night after a long cold day's sleep hibernated under a mountain of fuzzy blankets. Hygge just completes the scene. Spread The Love Massage Bar in Chocolate Espresso Torte *free self-pampering treat with purchase Mmmm, can I eat this?! It's soap you say? Well, you could have fooled me as it smells like the most decadent dessert with layers of dark chocolate and expensive coffee. If I can restrain myself long enough to not lick the bar or my skin I notice the buttery richness of the little heart-shaped bar (nice touch) and how my skin especially along my neck loves the feeling of the little nubs. I would purchase a full-sized bar in a heartbeat and I have Chocolate Espresso Torte on my wishlist to grab in some bath product in 2022. MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean Apologies for the delay, but somehow I think the following figures would naturally turn up fashionably late. Historical Dinner Parties: Dinner One- Literary Characters. A balance of victimhood, seething anger, and calculated malfeasance. A cacophony of emotions to make any evening one of interest. Why did we invite these characters? See the images to find out. Who do you feel would dominate the evening? And who if any character will be lucky to leave alive? Thoughts, comments, and who you would choose in the comments below. Follow ofgrave.concern and myself for your invite to the next historical fantasy dinner. All the lovely artwork included in this project is fully credited to OfGraveConcern Appearing tomorrow on Instagram and reposted here of course (and on ScentedTrinkets on reddit) for those who do not have certain social media platforms. Your invitation for dinner Historical Fantasy Dinner Parties: Dinner One- Literary Characters. An historical collaboration between OfGraveConcern and myself See post tomorrow. Will the evening be a success. A scene of unrequited love, madness or unbridled murder? You are invited to witness…. ✴All artwork credit to OfGrave.Concern 🌠A subreddit forum where you will be able to find all new (and specially chosen repeat) reviews by myself before they appear on this humble little page. Name to be announced in the coming weeks (shops to be featured: Sixteen92, Grandmother's Buttons, Nui Cobalt Designs, Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery, MoonaLisa: A Supernatural Clean, Love Potion Magickal Perfumerie and Bijoux Passion Paris). Thank you to all that followed me on IMAM, time to start a new chapter. Update: It's official and open for reading I greatly appreciate all the encouragement in this project and the help with the last fine details. You will be able to see early reviews, indie news and since I realize not everyone feels comfortable with the workings of Instagram, I'm going to cross post on the reddit side all my favourite Instagram/Historical themed posts. May I welcome you to ScentedTrinkets Happy Reading and to new scent and shiny discoveries! -Elspeth *Reviews composed in February 2021 I guess the stars decided to shine a little luck my way at the end of November and December 2020 as I won a few giveaways on social media. These were the first two (thank you so much, UrbanWitchcraftCo and Pylies!) Sterling silver and rainbow moonstone planchette necklace from UrbanWitchcraftCo All thanks to an adorable feathered shop assistant named Lily who picked my winning ticket entry name out of a bowl I was sent a stunning necklace with a moonstone that has one of the most brilliant flashes I have ever seen in a rainbow moonstone (this jewellery artist has some of the most unique crystal/gemstone specimens displayed). I have been watching this curious little shop with much interest for months and this lovely necklace decided a custom in the future for flashing and glowing moonstone earrings to match in the near future. Finally, it was "Muppets Christmas Carol" for the win! I love super easy giveaway requirements and all I had to do was submit in my favourite holiday movie I watch every year. From Pylies: 3 lip scrubs in- Gingersnap Cookies (Chewy cookie with ginger, cardamom, chinese cinnamon and caraway) Peppermint Hot Cocoa (Piping hot drinking chocolate and a splash of smooth creamy peppermint) Christmas Crack (Saltine cracker, crunchy buttery toffee, a dash of holiday spice and thin layer of dark chocolate) I have a horrible habit from childhood of biting my lips when I'm nervous or when I'm not even realizing it anymore and these scrubs have been receiving a full workout so I can attest these all smell (and taste delicious) and have been a tremendous help with my peeling-winter-and-when-I-gnaw damaged lips. For those not familiar with lip scrubs they are flavoured granulated sugar with additional healing oils (nuts or fruits) added and you place a fingertip size of scrub on your damp lips and you rub gently in a circular motion to exfoliate and remove dead skin. It does take a bit of practice to get the motion down as it can be messy at first so start over the sink. I follow up the scrubs with more indies to seal in the softness, smoothness and moisture (I highly recommend Spirit & Venom Olfactory Arts' lip balm). All of the presented scrubs are as they say on the tin, it's hard to pick a favourite as I get a sense of delightful nostalgia with Peppermint Hot Cocoa (it reminds me of the glory days of Bath&Body Works and a long discontinued holiday lip stick/balm I adored so much and received many years in my stocking until it disappeared off the shelves one winter without any warning), Gingersnap Cookies is an addictive ginger cookie that brings to mind a recipe my English grandmother used to bake for family gatherings. So that leaves Christmas Crack and we have a buttery salty and chocolate with the barest hint of spice laced winner with this one as it tastes very much like a concoction I whip up for myself when I have a serious craving for salty chocolate and I shove a handful (or four) of semi-sweet chocolate chips and crushed oyster crackers into my gob at the same time and let the distinct notes meld together. Yes, I need to stop that, hopefully rubbing a little of this delectable lip scrub on my bitten lips will sate that craving instead. In addition to the little pots of lip scrubs, I was sent a few more treats! A Body Cream and Body Scrub. Candied Yams Body Cream (I couldn't find the exact notes but I do wonder if "Southern Haunt" wasn't renamed) This is a thick cream that melts nicely and releases a fragrance of heavenly spiced sweet potatoes, marshmallow, butter and even a hint of sweet hidden apple. I have been using this on my elbows and sensitive winter-chapped hands (concentrating on my cuticles) and it's a welcome home ritual now before I get ready for bed after a long night. I go to sleep with wafts of spiced yams and fluffy marshmallow and wake up 9 hours later with the faintest hint of warm spice so the scent lasts quite a while and I noticed the warmer you can get your skin after applying the better the results, so this is the type of formula that would work wonders with that the old "slathering your hands in cream and covering with a pair of thick cotton socks before bed trick". I'll report back on the next Self-Care Day. Witchy Woman Body Scrub (Soft Incense, Oud, Woodsmoke and Patchouli mixed with Clove, Cinnamon and Jasmine) Smokey, spicy and sweet floral decadence take me away! Witchy Woman is an interesting combination of notes and the scent continues on long after leaving the tub. The scrub formula is a powerhouse for my rough heels and even works on my elbows in those weird leftover spots that I can never get completely smooth especially in the colder months. The consistency has larger granulated sugar crystals for extra scrubbing which is a change-up from the other body scrubs I own. This formula was made for the long winter months and has been put through its paces already. Overall, this is another little wonderful surprising shop I will be exploring more from. UrbanWitchcraftCo and Pylies Reviews composed in November 2020 to January 2021 ✴The longer the following perfumes were patiently aged, the more undernote nuances reveal themselves with every wear. Longevity: Shortest (XIII and Bad Apple at 2 and nearly 4 hours) Longest (Ambrille and Sacred Vanille at 14+ hours) One Note At A Time: Bespoke/Custom Fragrance At the beginning of October 2020 I submitted the idea of a bottled quote from one of my favourite books with the specific notes of French Vanilla, Vintage-styled Amber and Marshmallow. The owner showed sincere enthusiasm over my custom's concept and shared his extensive knowledge of different subjects when he suggested additions to my blend with Labdanum and White Musk. He then even went up and above that and obtained a very special component (pheromones) for the perfect final touch when I requested this last minute submission. May I present Ambrille! She's finally home and is so good she made it into general catalogue. From start to finish this was an experience I highly recommend if you have been searching in vain for a specific blend to add to your collection or one special fragrance to drape yourself in. Ambrille (Notes: French Vanilla, Marshmallow, Labdanum, White Musk) This blend dances a fine line between gourmand and naughty vintage with the initial opening of creamy french vanilla along with sweet marshmallow then warms up with the vintage amber and slight caramelly "pop" of labdanum resin. The final notes that leave me 15 hours later are intoxicating white musk and the lingering sweetness of the vanilla and marshmallow. It matches the iconic quote from Rebecca: "I wish I were a woman of 36, dressed in black satin with a string of pearls." and can be worn like a comforting elegant scarf or expensive soft sweater throughout the colder months; which is all exactly what I wanted. ❇the version of Ambrille available on the site does not contain any frisky pheromones. Hand Sanitizer in Harvest Spice (Simmered autumn fruit blends with warm nutmeg and clove spiked with crisp afterthoughts of ginger and cinnamon in the familiar taste of fall) This lux hand sanitizer comes in a rather large 2oz bottle that has stood up well in my handbag and has not broken open accidentally in the months it has been knocking around and accompanying to and from normal every day. The formula contains the required 70% alcohol and it does the job with a vegetal scent with rich autumnal earth and warm comforting spice along with a kiss of fruit (other than pumpkin) that lasts up to 3 hours and is addictive to sneak huffs of when no one is looking. Harvest Spice isn't your average pumpkin aroma and I hope it returns in the the perfume version because it is a fragrance I need to own. I would purchase this lux hand sanitizer again but also would love this in Marshmallow. ✴When I received my finished Custom Fragrance in November all decked out in gift box, a surprise sample was found nestled in the box and I fell hard. Call Girl (Notes: Tobacco, Skin Musk, Roses) Roses can come in many forms from soapy to downright slinky and scandalous and if you are looking for the latter, you have to get ahold of Call Girl because this is an oh so naughty but refined tobacco and rose fragrance. I definitely smell Bulgarian Roses and there is something deeper underneath adding another layer of the rose variety and true to the description on the website I am getting the unmistakable smudge of expensive lipstick or creamy wax violets (however you wish to interpret them). I know this is supposed to tell the scent story of a night encounter in a seedy motel but I can't help but think of a classy well sought after mistress in the 19th-century Austrian or Russian court. It's a bit exotic in ways with the rose petals and the stately tobacco combined with the kiss of violet and silky skin musk elevates this call girl to dame d'honneur! Bravo Redwood! My second order was a bunch of samples that had intrigued me for weeks. Sacred Vanille (Notes: Vanilla, Wood, Copal, Gardenia, Amber, Musk & Spice) It remains a mystery if the copal or the noticeable textural wood note (or the combination) is a particular scent sticking out from my skin that I'm unsure about. The spice and amber is warm and seductive with the sweet butteriness of the gardenia and vanilla. My skin can be so cruel at times as that particular scent I mentioned amplifies and drowns out the lovely gardenia, vanilla and spice. I'm marking Sacred Vanille down for a whipped soap treatment in the coming weeks. Candy Cane layering note This hits the sweet and sentimental spot for me as a beloved family member always smelled of peppermint and when she was away and I was upset, I would sit in a corner and sniff the candies she had secretly stuffed my pockets with. This is refreshing and yet somehow creamy and soft. Candy Cane also has a positive effect on when my stomach is flipping knots at a certain time of the month as after sitting down and smelling Candy Cane for several minutes, I feel so much better. The power of comforting peppermint, it still works even all these years later for me. Krampus (Notes: Mint, Musk, Smoke, Clove & Pepper) All the notes are there in a musky oily and somehow bracing way. I get the peppermint with the dark elements underneath and I know it's not listed but I smell a hint of non-obnoxious black shiny leather hiding in the background with the clove. Krampus is unique with the spice and musk yet completely wearable for every day adding something unfamiliar and sinister. A definite keeper. Elysia (Notes: Notes: Lily of the Valley, Salt, Wood, Musk) This is such a lovely scent for work as it's ethereal and feminine with a twist of poetic floral sweetness and is one of those your skin but better types of perfumes to recommend. This fragrance brings to mind the imagined scent of the dust from trembling butterfly wings. I don't think I have any other lily of the valley perfume that is so soft yet enchanting in my collection. XIII (Description: An unlucky blend of bergamot, tangerine, and lemon. Creaking wood, thunder that rattles the bones. Dark, moonlit waters. All laced with a sweet sliver of hope.) On my skin a hidden sugary aquatic scent amps along with zippy citrus and hidden metal note combination that oddly helps me drift off to sleep after a long dark night. To my nose, XIII leans masculine in a debonair way that is magnetic and yet calming. For longevity, this blends fades within 2 hours and no trace remains when I wake 9 hours later. And I'll just be tucking this alluring oil away for "someday". Bad Apple (Notes: Apple, Musk, Leather) I've been watching way too many Disney, Fairytale, Zodiac/dark sides of signs comparisons because this brings to mind "BAD Snow White". It starts off so innocent at first with gentle wafts of wet realistic apple skin and sweetness of a hidden floral, then a sinister smirk, a violent shuddering thunder and lightning crash over the forest and this woman doesn't need a prince with a flousy name to save her. I love these dramatic types of fragrance transformations. I was a little concerned about the apple but this is a fine blend and takes my imagination away. My only caveat is, I wish Bad Apple lasted longer on me- barely 4 hours on my skin. Top 3 choices (besides Ambrille): Call Girl, Elysia and Candy Cane Redwood Alchemy *Reviews composed in December 2020 I was over the moon when the owner of PULP Fragrance asked me if I would be interested in reviewing their debut collections and this little house of fragrance shot me to the stars when I found a holy grail perfume featuring a note I never thought I would be able to wear and enjoy, but I'm jumping ahead of myself. Here were my full thoughts on PULP Fragrance, where scent does indeed tell a story. For longevity, everything lasted far beyond it took me to eat the delicious Canadian sourced treats that were included (haha), but it all seriousness the oils stayed noticeable between 4 hours (Autumn Morning and Haunted Hills) to over 12+ hours (Ensnare and Portrait of Josette). Presentation: Speaks for itself. A sleek and creative nod to late mid-century fiction with specific themes translated over perfectly with the label designs, matching fonts and addition of a gorgeous themed bookmark. They nailed this particular aesthetic. One Note At A Time: Portrait of Josette (Ethereal white amber, dry wood of a long-abandoned seaside house, a hint of orris, and the lingering memory of jasmine perfume.) This was my inaugural dip into this house of fragrance and I was taken on quite the scent journey as Portrait of Josette opens on the skin with a nifty "flickering" effect of the orris, salt and dry wood and white floral that first disappears faintly then reappears with a strikingly beautiful quality that lasts the entire night and lingers into the morning hours. It brings to mind an expensive European perfume worn by the bygone elite and forlorn ghosts of lost eras of elegance staring out in the depths of the rolling sea. Brava, is all I can say! Autumn Morning (Warm mug of hot chocolate, bowl of slightly spiced oatmeal, bouquet of carnations, and a cosy blanket on your lap. (Cinnamon & clove in trace amounts only.) The longer this oil rested the better it became as today it's a lovely spiced creamy froth from a cup of hot chocolate surrounded by scattered carnation petals and hints of crystallized maple syrup. It paints a cozy scene and as the hours tick by the tactile aroma of a fleece blanket appears along with strength of the velvety touch of the carnation petals and slightly toasted rolled oats. The soft chocolate note is the first to fade within minutes but the sweet spice blend of the cinnamon and carnation anchors my nose to my wrists as I have a serious craving for cinnamon blends this season like never before making Autumn Morning a keeper and one to recommend. Embrace (A kindly kitchen witch who invites you in from the cold, feeds you pumpkin shortbread with butter, apricot preserves, and brown sugar & then sends you safely on your way. (Non-vegan butter CO2 & contains cinnamon.) One dab and I want to stay in the kindly witch's house and learn all about her locked away recipes as Embrace is a country cupboard of delights. I smell apricot preserves with a hint of orange marmalade, spiced maple syrup, buttered cookies and even the wood from a cupboard's shelf. I don't get pumpkin it's more of the dulcet apricot with hidden maple syrup and spice amplifying on me with a dry down of realistic brown sugar and butter. I have come to adore the scent of apricots and cinnamon in my hair so I will be using Embrace in my unscented argan oil and escaping to a quaint warm country house when the winds howl this upcoming winter. Haunted Hills (Juicy red apples, creamy caramel, wicked dark musk, black pepper, vetiver, and a sprinkle of baking spices. (Contains cinnamon & clove.) Just like Autumn Morning, Haunted Hills benefitted with a little patience as the strange grape note (I recall from childhood) that hit my nose the first week I received my parcel is all but gone and I smell the skin of a red mackintosh apple and the buttery caramel and woody warm undernotes of vetiver and black pepper. It's an interesting blend (I especially love the addition of the black pepper) but sadly not one of my favourites. Darkly complex but somehow not for my skin. I think I would love this in a hair product though and will be experimenting in the coming months. Women in Dresses Running From Houses (Gooey marshmallows over a roaring bonfire, heliotrope, aged patchouli, and a whisper of anise.) One of the greatest dubbed perfumes in the indie realm and my chemistry just doesn't want to play nice. My favourite parts of Women in Dresses Running From Houses are the marshmallowy heliotrope, the seductive anise and the dry down of realistic dug up dirt and the underneath of wet autumnal grass attached but alas it takes a bit to get to those elements as my chemistry latches onto the unpleasant opening that is hard to explain. I read so many favourable reviews on Women in Dresses Running From Houses but in the end, I must admit to myself, this one is not for me. Oh, bother. **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- don't hesitate to try a sample of something if it interests you). Ensnare (Embrace's darker sister at the other end of the woods, who lures you in with the promise of maple sugar sweets then latches the door behind you. Rich dark oud, labdanum, and a line of salt at the door.) Ensnare, teach me your ways! I smell like smokey peppered maple sugar and salted butterscotch. Now, this is marvellous and I love the resins that come out to play on the dry down with the amplifying maple sugar and butterscotch. There is certainly something naughty in this with a bit of leather and an almost acidic-balsamic entwined pine which is giving all the aforementioned sweet notes something wickedly grounding and unique. Good thing I have fallen under *Ensnare'*s spell because she lasts a good 12+ hours and I'm perfectly okay with that. South Star (Sweet creamy peach, vanilla beans, liatrix, & a woody-ambrette accord, all topped off with a hint of cinnamon. (Contains cinnamon.) This one morphs a hundred different with the peach from fresh juice dribbled into vanilla batter to those peach saver candies I remember from the 90s that were extremely limited edition around Easter-tide and then back to soft somehow adult smelling dessert, but it all never churns up any hint of cat urine which my skin usually changes peach blends into. South Star is stunning and I adore the woody-spicy warmth of the cinnamon and ambrette. I believe I have finally found my perfect peach perfume and I can't wait to layer this over a dab of Alkemia's C24 and wait coyly for the results while all dolled up, hehe. Mark my words, PULP Fragrance is a house to watch! Bewitching Amber (A darker take on classic amber with labdanum, an overdose of non-gourmand vanilla, woody vetiver, pine bark, cardamom and sandalwood musk.) One of the things this shop of olfactory delights excels at is vintage-esque blends with slightly altered updates that pleases so many in a crowd and Bewitching Amber is a perfect example. There are hallmarks on a classic perfume base but the top notes and heart of the blend are tweaked just enough that it can never be confused with the scent of handbag of an older woman. On me, I'm finding labdanum "pops and fizzes" with a caramel finish and I can clearly smell that nifty effect with Bewitching Amber as my skin warms up this oil. The pine becomes more apparent as well I as sit here typing and the dry down the sandalwood takes centre stage with the romantic vanilla and classic amber. No surprise I love this perfume and recommend it. Eagle Hill Cemetery (An ivy-covered mausoleum, old paving stones, cool damp soil, a creaky iron gate, faded bouquets, & the spark of a match freshly-lit to see your way.) Another thing PULP Fragrance excels at is green notes and if you want an earthy atmospheric here's your blend. I get the photorealistic grass with dirt, flaking iron and I know it's not listed but I swear I smell old fashioned lawnmower blade oil and gasoline. My beloved grandfather used to tend hallowed grounds whilst I tagged along and would play in the grass clumps and tried not to step on anyone's face as I walked between the gravestones. Eagle Hill Cemetery smells like the real thing and continues to surprise me as it morphs in an hour to a realistic haunting floral bouquet of faded jasmine and lilies (and perhaps a stem of lilac as well?) I wasn't expecting any of this and am quite impressed! House on Widows Hill (Brandy as plummy as Roger's accent, old oak paneling, dusty thick carpets, a thread of incense & a roaring fire in the hearth.) Another atmospheric but for those looking for a good libatious twist and wanting to feel a bit like masters of the universe. You want a good brandy note, here it is and as you lose yourself in the oaky finish the promised dusty thick carpets, incense and ashes from the hearth hit the nose. Curiously a dark plum note also materializes in the long dry down that immediately makes me think of my english grandmother's kitchen during the colder months. Another keeper and one for my "to be worn when reading or watching specific historical films" corner of my collection. Cathedral of Trees (Crisp cold air, cedar tips, pine boughs, towering fir and spruce, snow-strewn forest floor, & smoke-less sacred resins of frankincense and myrrh.) In the vial, I get snapped off boughs of fir and pine needles mixed with lemony frankincense and myrrh and all I can say is, get on my skin and take me away to an enchanted forest! Frankincense and pine blends help me sleep for some unknown reason and I have been dabbing myself all over with Cathedral of Trees and sleeping soundly as the winds outside are starting to pick up. On my skin, the fir and pine rise first and then frankincense takes its place next to cheery myrrh and finally a familiar fuzziness of labdanum appears and I am one happy sleepy lady as my mind relaxes. And To All A Good Night (Sugary and gently-spiced holiday cookies fresh from the oven and drizzled with caramel, creamy egg nog spiked with coffee liqueur and sprinkled with a dash of nutmeg and cardamom, & the smooth, pale, aged wood of a well-loved rolling pin. (Allergen note: contains traces of cinnamon and clove.) Mmm! May I introduce everyone to holiday baking in a vial? Oh my, yes And To All A Good Night is a buttery, boozy medley with sweets and spice and everything nice for the holiday season. I even smell the unmistakable aromas of buttery pine aged wood, crushed nutmeg and vanilla from my great-grandfather's rolling pin I use for my seasonal baking. Now that's flipping amazing, no other indie shop has presented that note and experience. _______________________________________________________ Top 3 picks: South Star (and I ordered a full bottle), Portrait of Josette and...it's a tie between Cathedral of Trees and And To All A Good Night Thank you so much PULP Fragrance for allowing me access to these collections (and helping me find a holy grail perfume) *Reviews composed in 2021 Technically not my first romp with the ever mysterious pheromone-enhanced category of perfumes (that title goes to Alkemia Perfumes), these three vials, however, were my first venture with a little house of fragrance called Love Potion Magicakal Perfumerie. A bit of rarity in the indie realm as this shop actually has a physical storefront (located in Venice, California USA) and is the only indie company I have found that sells exclusively pheromone laced perfumes. So what brought me to these unique doors of Love Potion? Curiosity mostly! For years I have heard Pheromones were the Dark Side of perfumery and with a friend's upcoming birthday and her very specific request for "a sexy red currant perfume" well it seemed fate and I just had to try them. Here's what I thought. WARNING: Subjects that follow may get a bit (politely told) spicy. My initial order all stemmed from a search for red currants and I messaged the owner to see if she could recommend a few blends and answer some burning questions I had concerning pheromone perfumes and their effect(s). The owner was an absolute sweetheart and patiently answered all my inquiries and gave me a list for my friend and for myself. I purchased one spray vial and to my utter delight was gifted several samples that we spoke of. I only had the opportunity to quickly sniff my friend's birthday gift before wrapping it up along with her preselected sample and I kept the other three vials as my friend doesn't care for the notes that I do. Funny enough she ended up loving the sample she received versus only liking what I purchased for her so I'll mention her choice pick and her experience wearing her special scent potion. Crystal Currents (Much as the way a crystal refracts and reflects and refracts sunshine into dazzling points of illumination, so does our beautiful pheromone-enhanced perfume spray bestow a brilliant shine to your senses. Crystalline notes of white, pink and red grapefruit oils blended with juicy tangy red currant and sweetened with pretty pink sugar and soft-as-a-cloud marshmallow plus a sheer whisper of white amber, so wonderfully upbeat! For further fun and frolic, we've enhanced this lovely with our exclusive AUDACIOUS pheromone formula, an Alpha-Sexual-Social mix for women that encourages boldness and perhaps a walk on the wild side! Promotes confidence, friendliness, femininity, mood elevation and sexuality. Magickal Meanings of Ingredients (I thought this part was so nifty!): Grapefruit- Refreshes and uplifts the spirit, eases exhaustion; beauty and youth glamour. Lends an aura of "sparkle" to the wearer. Red Currant- Aids success in love affairs, and a magical representation of blood. Marshmallow Root- Fertility, happiness, creativity, increase in psychic awareness, intuition, love, protection, exorcism. Gently commanding and persuading. Sugar- Attracts love, luck, sweetness and riches. Lust inducing, wishes granted. Amber-Fertility, creativity, love, luck and riches. On my friend, she seems to amplify the sweet factors of this blend and smells like naughty fruit candy, she usually stays away from scents resembling candy but says she was pleasantly surprised and Crystal Currents certainly suits her. The red currant serves as the glowing heart of this perfume over the sugared grapefruit opening and an unexpected amber laced marshmallow is the perfect finale. Between two separate serious male companions (at different points of the year) and other acquaintances, it has been noticed that men adore this perfume and have complimented her multiple times even associating this perfume to her specifically (for extra experiments a few extra drops of Crystal Currents were dabbed in her (at separate times of the year/ different boyfriend's) cars and then placed in her hair. The results were quite positive as both men seemed more attentive and etc; we are just reporting what was observed and noticed). My friend discreetly has requested the Copulin version of Crystal Currants for her next birthday so I call this scent experiment request/gift a success. Sadly my report will be less interesting as I don't currently have a fella to play scent doctor with so my thoughts will be more on general compliments, skin chemistry morphing, and my impressions on specific notes. I'm also going to rank the samples I tried. #3- Mommy's Little Monster (At this time of the year things can get quite chaotic for all hard-working Mummies and we know they could use some assistance in taming their dear darling monsters! This is a seasonal perfume spray featuring an Autumnal blend of warm hay, tangy crisp pear- bestowing protection and good fortune- with a sturdy foundation of bamboo and teak and pretty crown of daisy and heather. We're riding to the rescue with a dose of our exclusive MOTHER'S LITTLE HELPER pheromone formula, a blend for women to help create a household of peace and calm, pleasant interactions, warmth, coziness, friendliness and helpfulness...while secretly exerting a little authority too. Magickal Meanings of Ingredients: Pear- Love, longevity and luck Hay- Friendliness, fruitfulness Daisy- Gentleness, innocence, loyalty and romance. Love, reunion and luck. Heather- Admiration and beauty; protection, especially over women and virtue. Peace, beginnings, elemental magic, wishes granted. Bamboo- Protection, hex breaking, luck and wishes, fertility, wisdom, feminine energy. Teakwood- Longevity, bonding, weathering all conditions, endurance. It remains a frustrating mystery what note exactly drowns out all the others on my skin and pokes at my senses, reminding me of a combination of green medicine and soap but my hunch is the heather as I only have one heather listed perfume (from Jorum Studio) that smells like true ground heather on me and all the others I have tried across the indie realm turn into laundry detergent soap when applied. Such a shame for my skin but an unexpected win for my deep conditioning hair treatment regiment as in my hair the promised pear and hay reign making Mommy's Little Monster a nice autumnal hair treat. #2- Flying Potion 2020 (Description summary- We've blended gorgeous creamy ylang ylang EO, sweet black licorice, marshmallow and vanilla pods, tangy grapefruit and cassis topped with a pinch of cider spices and Poof!) Magickal Meanings of Ingredients: Marshmallow Root- Fertility, happiness, creativity, increase in psychic awareness, intuition, love, protection, exorcism, Gently commanding and persuading. Ylang Ylang- Strongly sensual, attraction, attention, irresistibility, soothes marital problems. Licorice- Love, lust, fidelity, sexual potency. Vanilla- Aphrodisiac, inspires happiness, playfulness, sexual arousal, lust, vitalizing. Grapefruit- Refreshes and uplifts the spirit, eases exhaustion, beauty and youth glamour. It is highly advised to NOT go by what you think you discern from this shop's vials because your heated skin and hair hold and unlocks the true magic of these blends. Honestly, I was puzzled and thought I was possibly sent a mislabeled batch when I first opened my lovely presented parcel as the distinct slight chemical aroma I recognize from my bottle of C24 from Alkemia Perfumes wafted up and I couldn't identify clearly any accompanying notes. What a curious thing! Once applied my impression immediately changed and I raced to the laptop to toss in my basket many perfumes from the catalogue (especially when I tried Love Potion: Pink, but I'm jumping ahead of myself). Flying Potion opens bright and creamy then morphs to seductive liquorice dipped warm spices (perhaps even hidden apple?) and then dries down to this stunning realistic marshmallow vanilla cream and lingering traces of liquorice. I am weak in the presence of a good liquorice or marshmallow perfume and Flying Potion is ace and has been keeping me company on late night walks as the summer season winds down and this hits the spot for the beginning of my favourite time of the year. Now to find someone to share it with, haha. #1- Love Potion- Pink (Description summary- Combines four buttery Vanilla oils from around the globe, added to gorgeously thick Amber and Patchouli, resins, sweet Berries and Sugars galore!) Magickal Meanings of Ingredients: Vanilla- Aphrodisiac, inspires happiness, playfulness, sexual arousal, lust, vitalizing. Sugar- Attracts love, luck, sweetness, riches, lust inducing. Berries- Attraction, love inducing, stamina, vigor, draws fortunate circumstances in all areas of your life. Apricot- Love, love, love, romance, passion and feminity Amber- Fertility, love, luck, riches. Patchouli- Soothes and uplifts, sensual, sexually stimulating, lust, fertility, money. Butter- Nurturing, soothing, eases troubled relationships, Goddess energy Verbena- Mood uplifting, makes one attractive to the opposite sex, everlasting love. As much as I go weak for liquorice and marshmallow, would you believe a cotton candy/fairy floss perfume completely swept me off my feet and garnered the most compliments from work colleagues and strangers? It's all true, I smell like a pastel and peach toned Valentine with Marilyn Monroe's image glamming on the front. The notes may seem simple but that's where the true beauty of this oil lies, it catches you off guard first pulling at playful and airy elements but then transforms into this warm sophisticated buttery romantic vanilla that others around just gravitate toward and ask about. It's perfectly dubbed, it captures all the qualities when you think of the ideal shade of Pink. Projection and longevity is impressive with this fragrance as it goes on to enchant 16 hours versus Mommy's Little Monster's 6 hours and Flying Potion landing in the middle at 10 hours. The search is over, I finally found a cotton candy/fairy floss perfume I can wear without feeling like a child or it triggering bad high school memories. So the big questions would I order from Love Potion Magickal Perfumerie again and are Pheromones truly the dark side of perfumery and should be feared? A resounding yes to if I will order again and let's just say be prepared for more reviews in the coming months and I only care what I think and how they make me feel which is spectacular and confident. Love Potion® Magickal Perfumerie Ever since I stepped into the realm of Indie Fragrances one house has been repeated with an exotic and expensive flair that called from afar I was not yet prepared to venture towards...until last year when I was recommended to see the godsend to all Indie Collectors and Explorers known as "decanters"; these sweet beings offer different seasonal blends at a wide discount which allows those of us with restricted wallets and pocketbooks a chance to sample perfumes we have lusted after and finally join the excited conversation circles surrounding certain shops. This is a happily ever ending story all thanks to Crypta Obscura/KosmikFade. One Note At A Time: Koaliday (Bastet's Australian melty Vanilla Ice Cream, Crystalline Absolute, Vanilla Bean Fleck, Fried Dough accord ala Funnel Cake deliciousness, White Cinnamon and Vanilla infused Powdered Sugar) This is a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck with exotic and warm woody cinnamon, creamy buttery vanilla and the unmistakable aroma of country-fried dough. Every note promised is there and it creates this cosy enveloping feeling of home comforts and seasonal memories that lasts an impressive 13 hours. It's marvellous and must try if you love gourmand fragrances and the deeply soothing quality of cinnamon. Ducky (Fresh Pear, Bastet's Amber Absolute, Skin Musk, Vanilla Bean Liqueur, Crimson Red Musk) This was my first dip into NAVA fragrant waters and I must say I'm impressed. Ducky is indeed fresh pears without any unnecessary soapiness and is matched beautifully with a spiked vanilla bean, warm amber and soft silkiness underneath it all. When first applied the scent amplifies for about 2 hours then dies down to this creamy vanilla pear finish that lasts 16 hours now. I must admit I was hoping to not love this and move quietly along but what can I say, NAVA has wowed me and I'm in trouble (yep, yep yep!) Llama Llama (Vanilla infused Sandalwood, Cashmere Vanilla accord, Indian Sandalwood, French Vanilla Bean and Santalum Absolute) My expectations and wishes flew too high to the sandalwood and french vanilla drenched sun this time as this blend is a masculine soapy flop on my skin. It's always the call of French Vanilla that gets me to pull that buy-now trigger. My search continues ultimately and I have learned a vital lesson that santalum combined with cashmere may be best to avoid with my chemistry. Sigh. *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- don't hesitate to try a sample of something if it interests you. Uriel (Thick resin and incense of Holy Myrrh and Sandalwood) This was a surprise bonus vial found in my order and I must say this blend named after an archangel is a dreamy romantic sandalwood that is indeed "ethereal" and even "protective" in ways. Uriel was a much finer introduction to NAVA's Sandalwoods and Resin centred oils for me and I would love to try more of this house of fragrances' sandalwood perfumes. For longevity, this oil fades within 5 hours which is my only caveat as I would love to wake from a full days' sleep with this masculine leaning fragrance softly caressing my wrists and neck. Nocturne Alchemy Studios Crypta Obscura *Review composed in 2021 I admittedly have a complicated relationship with Valentine's Day but when someone offers me a chance to purchase and own a piece of the unique and macabre centred about my favourite history topics and literary figures, well I say take my money and everyone else can keep their cheap flowers that will wilt in a week! May I introduce you all to Valentombs by OfGraveConcern (a curious little shop I stumbled upon on Instagram which specializes in one-of-a-kind historical art inspired by the years 1348 to 1848). 💀I ordered the night of January 17th and received a shipping notification message almost immediately and then slid over to my frozen over mailbox to find my card that following week. My dark little heart skipped a few beats when I opened the envelope and removed the card themed around my favourite book- Wuthering Heights (Catherine and Heathcliff are home!). The size of the card itself is ideal (about the size of a traditional holiday greeting card) and the foldout "kickstand" on the back of the glossy stock paper is perfectly balanced and centres the tomb nicely for display. I have mine on my the back of my vanity table, facing the mirror. I love the incorporated quotes from my favourite novel and the research and little fine details this shop puts into its projects and artwork are all seriously applaudable. I now want a whole "graveyard" of Valentombs to display, haha. And wish fullfilled! Welcome to my little graveyard of Valentombs, haha. These 2 cards showed up out of the blue one cold day and I can't thank OfGraveConcern enough for them. Pictured is the Hamlet and Ophelia card and Lenore one as decked out in researched quotes from the play and story. Absolutely something unique to see, collect and recommend. OfGraveConcern Someone very wise once told me that a specific crystal will find its way into your life at the right time to serve you and in the chaotic year of 2020, Labradorite and Moonstones found me. It all began with a long past midnight browsing on ETSY and a simple search for crystal necklaces, in honesty, I didn't know what I was looking for I just wanted to see something shiny I suppose and learn some new facts about crystals and minerals to store away (I blame my Libra and Gemini placements, haha). Everything stopped when I saw the photo of a pale green gold crystal dubbed "The Seeker" on Rissa Rae Moonstone's page. I didn't know labradorite could be found in that specific unique shade and the more I stared at the page, I more I felt drawn to it. I had to go back from break but the glow of that curious stone stayed in my mind and by the time I was leaving my shift for the night, I knew I had to have it. Ordering was a simple process and the exact listed labradorite necklace arrived at my door not even a week later along with a small additional crystal. To say, I was happy with my purchase is an understatement as I wear my first labradorite piece from this shop everywhere and enjoy showing everyone my newest discovery (and obsession). Here was my first impression and initial wearing experience: "Over the moon with my necklace! It's absolutely stunning to look at and is the perfect size while at the same time adds something unique to my wardrobe. I've received several compliments at work about it including the shade of this glowing stone matches my eye colour or makes my green eyes pop. I also adore the gentle soothing energy this crystal exudes as I feel so relaxed and somehow charged ready to take on anything while wearing this jewellery piece and I don't want to take it off. I must also jot down for positives the lovely packaging presentation and amazing customer service. This was my first purchase but certainly not my last from this charming little shop." 2020 started my own transformation for my body, health and mind and I felt myself reaching out to touch this talisman when I had self doubt, I know that may sound silly but it somehow helped me to restrain my old habits and hold my head up a little higher. The stone's soft energy or not, I ended up experiencing things I never would have thought I would attempt before and that only allowed me to come out of my shell a little bit more. I had a wonderful time in October and created some amazing memories for myself and guess what was around my neck in candid pictures that others so easily take everyday, but I strangely never would have allowed to be taken (I forgotten how much I have the same smile as a beloved lost loved one)? If anything this labradorite piece reminds me of those happy times in a year of uncertainty and to not take the little things in life for granted ever again. November blew in and I knew it was time to ask if the shop owner could create a custom necklace I have been dreaming of owning for years (I have been hoping to come across just the right jewellery crafter), a double strand moonstone necklace... I only just commissioned this particular jewellery piece when a stunning rare purple labradorite amulet additionally caught my attention from the day before on social media made by this stone caster and it wouldn't allow me to focus on anything else, the stone was just gorgeous but I figured it was gone. Out of curiosity I messaged and asked if it was still available and to my utter delight it was and it was waiting for me it seemed! The owner was such a sweetheart that she offered to bundle the necklaces together and send them at the same time. I think I chose wisely don't you? "Signed, sealed, delivered and I couldn't be more pleased with these pieces of wearable art or this little shop! When it comes to my custom pieces, the moonstones just twinkle and glitter on my neck in the light and no photo can capture that nor can the various depths of purples and golds in my labradorite necklace. These were my second and third purchases and I can't recommend Rissa Rae Moonstone enough if you are searching for a particular crystal and type of amulet to serve you through a portion of your life. Scroll through the catalogue and see which one "calls out" to you (what you see is what you are sent)! If you have any questions don't be afraid to reach out to their customer service (which is another facet of a phenomenal experience and icing on the cake). Thank you again, Rissa Rae Moonstone!" What crystal or special propertied stone will call out in 2021, I can't wait to find out and am ready to listen. Rissa Rae Moonstone Whether you're in a spooky little holiday mood or want to spruce up the humble abode for the seasons, Willow WaxCraft has a blend for you. This is my sixth revisit to this little gem of a candle wax shop and once again I'm absolutely smitten with my order, this round I purchased Bacchanalia, Snow Day, Ouroboros, Hell Hath No Fury and received a sample of When the Shneckon Beckon. My choice pick this time is BACCHANALIA, which is a boozy caramel pear fragrance that fills the whole room with warm sweetly spiced comfort. Even unmelted the throw is impressive. I must also compliment the charming packaging and addition of exotic candy (a delight to open and taste as my mother can attest, she's now addicted to the tea candies, haha). Ouroboros- Tart pomegranate and raspberry, earthy and creamy oatmeal stout, honey (vegan), a dark cave, and aged paper. When this house of wax lists a descriptive atmospheric note such as 'aged paper' or 'a dark cave', they mean just that and Ouroboros is a perfect example of the unique scent magic this little shop can have upon the senses as this one is a dark boozy fruit medley layered with distinct salty vanillin paper and an earthy base. This scent came in a close second of Bacchanalia to being my choice pick but in the end, the boozy pears won it for my nose. For throw, my whole bedroom and upstairs is a seductive fruit draped sanctuary and Ouroboros reminds me of a dark red laced induced fever dream I don't want to wake from or escape! Hell Hath No Fury- Burning incense, a corsage of shy violets and carnations, crushed velvet, blonde woods and whispers of smoke and iron. Inspired by 'A night never to be forgotten' and revenge, Hell Hath No Fury is one scent to melt when you are in the mood for something completely out of the box and to honour a classic horror novel and movie. To my nose, the burning florals stand out when melted but are so subdued and innocent in the wax cup. This one is a transforming beast and not for the faint of heart but excellent if you want a horror-based fragrance to unnerve guests. Bacchanalia- A festive holiday bowl of spiced Wassail, caramelized pears and bourbon spiked Chai. There is nothing like the rich scent of spiced pears during the colder months and when married to the oaky finish of aged bourbon it was not a party it was a celebration every time I opened my bedroom door. Gah, I love this Bacchanalia and wish this blend came in a perfume, it warms the spirits and creates a wonderous place in your mind allowing you to relax after a long night or day. Snow Day- Buttery gingerbread waffles, toasted chestnuts, spiced pecans, and tendrils of chimney smoke. Can you tell I wanted all the comfort smells of the season with this order? Gingerbread is a weakness of mine and here it's wafts of butter-drenched pancakes with spices, the toasted chestnuts I recognize from Christmas Tree Emporium and wisps of chimney smoke. It's delicious but can be a bit heavy on the nose with the butter and the other notes get lost. Free Sample of When the Schnecken Beckon- Sweet cinnamon rolls coated with toasted pecans and sticky caramel, served with a glass of fresh-squeezed Florida Orange Juice. The Birdcage is one of my favourite guilty pleasure films (that movie would never fly nowadays and that's what I love about it plus Robin Williams was absolutely in his element and the chemistry of all the actors was phenomenal creating a comedic timecapsule) and this little slice of wax contains the perfect homage to one of the best quotes in the film! It's sweet citrus that is sprinkled with buttery cinnamon dessert dotted with toasted pecans. A possible sibling scent of Snow Day but the butter is more subtle and the toasted nuts more noticeable in When the Schneckon Beckon. This was my third choice pick of the pack and will be a full clamshell purchase eventually. Willow WaxCraft One Note At A Time: Cimetière du Père Lachaise - Paris, France (Notes: Faded lipstick, moss-covered brick, hazy morning fog, discarded petals, packed dirt, chestnut wood, distant chimney smoke) ☠This largest cemetery in France is the final resting place of several famous artists, writers and dancers. Some names you may recognize are Oscar Wilde, Isadora Duncan, Peter Abelard and Héloïse, Frédéric Chopin and Jim Morrison. Opened in 1804, Cimetière du Père Lachaise started off as the additional interment of Paris's deceased after the closing of the over-packed Cimetière des Saints-Innocents which is another famous cemetery that has been featured in a few pages of fiction- Anne Rice's The Vampire Lestat (this won't be the last we hear of Lestat in this long overdue review of iconic cemeteries) and Patrick Süskind's Perfume. Not to be outdone Cimetière du Père Lachaise has been mentioned in works and films such as: Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, Alexandre Dumas's The Count of Monte Cristo and The Doors. Opening the vial I'm greeted by the sensation of realistic cold air and the scent of dirty stones and dusty brick. The cold dirt encrusted stone with an roll of aged moss intensifies on the skin and a billow of ashes and smoke spreads across this dark scene. You can easily imagine yourself walking into this locale surrounded by centuries-old monuments with poetic epitaphs and fitting tributes. Nearly an hour later a distinct vintage lipstick fragrance wafts out of the lanes and pays a lovely homage to the once popular tradition of kissing Oscar Wilde's tomb. It's at this point of this atmospheric tour that I'm reminded of an unfortunate miss perfume that ended up a disaster with my chemistry- Hydromancy. Ever so slowly that medicinal induced nightmare creeps out of Cimetière du Père Lachaise and I'm still at a loss what exactly my chemistry morphs with to resemble old fashioned cough syrup on a metal spoon, the violets, the fog note? It remains a frustrating mystery. All I can end this round with is I do prefer Cimetière du Père Lachaise to Hydromancy as one will allow me more time to enjoy the nifty realistic atmospheric elements before changing over and it fades softly after a few hours versus launching into a full on assault on my poor head whilst amping to the heavens and back. Highgate Cemetery - London, England (Notes: Earl Grey tea, lavender sprigs, juniper berry, ivy, gravel, crumbling cobblestones, delicate fallen leaves & soft mittens) ☠Part of the "Magnificent Seven" located outside of central London, Highgate Cemetery opened in 1839 and has the status of being a duel nature preserve and is a popular site to pay one's last respects to several movers, thinkers and entertainers of different eras. It is also a location that is believed home to a supernatural being known as the "Highgate Vampire", this figure real or not, Highgate is where you will find tombs and markers to: John Galsworthy, Bob Hoskins, Lizzie Siddall, George Eliot, Malcolm Tierney and Henry Gray. For a fragrance inspired by the stalking grounds of a demonic vampire this blend is surprisingly uplifting, peaceful and pretty. A non-soapy earl grey tea with an additional grating of bergamot and soft buds of lavender is dominant on my skin with a background of crumbled stone and juniper sprigs. Highgate Cemetery is nothing like I was expecting (I was hoping for the inclusion of ink for a nod to all the brilliant authors and poets interned in the grounds and to be perfectly honest, a drop of blood included), however I oddly enjoy this one and I can see myself reaching for this vial in the dead of winter. On the long dry down Sixteen92's infamous textile and tactile accords appear with something resembling worn yarn mittens and warm skin. Highgate Cemetery is a cosy unobtrusive medley with drops of nature and I can understand why it was a smash hit this past autumn. Hollywood Forever Cemetery - Los Angeles, California (Notes: Glamorous satin and soft feather fringe, black fig, orris, tonka, bourbon on the rocks, smoked cardamom, cold marble) ☠Even though recent rockstars such as Chris Cornell and iconic childhood voice actors as Mel Blanc reside within the sprawling 40 acres of land, this cemetery was founded in 1899 and has gone under numerous renovations and name changes. Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the current moniker and this site is loaded with Tinseltown's elite departed. I could rattle off names all day, but to save time, I'll list the names I would love to pay respects to (including Cornell and Blanc): Estelle Getty, Burt Reynolds, Lucille Bliss, Marion Davies, Judy Garland, Virginia Rappe, Mickey Rooney, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel and Rudolph Valentino. The glitzy and elegant spirit of Old Hollywood comes through brilliantly in this blend. A celebratory fig that reads as a cranberry cocktail opens this perfume and then this soft realistic textile element slowly presents itself to take this wearer into her fantasies of time travel back to the golden era of cinema and donning a satin white floor-length gown with a feathered boa and patter of powder (if only for 6 hours). The twist ending of this scent experience is a photo-realistic smooth cold marble or ice note that hits the mid-nose reminding me this is a haunting tribute to the heyday of silver screen classics. Sixteen92 channels another bygone era for me and Claire is the undefeated Queen of Atmospherics in my book, brava! Lafayette Cemetery No 1 - New Orleans, Louisiana (Notes: White mandevilla, sooty dragon’s blood, wild datura, wrought iron gates, muddy clay, living moss, chicory root, bone dust, chalk) ☠Unlike the other cemeteries on this scent tour, Lafayette Cemetery No 1 is closed to the public due to it's unfortunate dilapidated state (from natural disasters and vandalism). It was founded in 1833 and I was not able to find a large list of any easily recognizable figures, this final resting place seems more centred around founding families of New Orleans and it was a hot spot of paranormal activity and tourists spanning back to the 1990s with the popularity of The Vampire Chronicles series and various music videos. In the vial Lafayette Cemetery No 1 presents as a cold floral to the nose. It changes on application as a distinct rusty iron aroma collides with the top white florals and a dusty chalk wafts over the senses. It's another transportative scent potion. I wouldn't call Lafayette Cemetery No 1 a true autumnal blend, it almost has a hidden humidity in it that brings to mind the end of summer and right when you can feel the first nip in the air. As time ticks on, more earthy notes appear and Sixteen92' trademark dragon's blood becomes more noticeable turning this thick (nearly soapy) floral into an almost sinister realm. In ways, Lafayette Cemetery No 1 shares similar qualities of Necromancy. Between the two perfumes, Necromancy is still my top pick. Panteón Viejo de Xoxocotlán - Oaxaca, Mexico (Notes: Wreaths of marigold & cockscomb, dusty cocoa, canela, sugar cube, flickering votives, honey cakes) ☠Undoubtedly the oldest cemetery on this inspired olfactory journey (the founding dates flucuate from the 18th to the late 16th century), Panteón Viejo de Xoxocotlán is best known for it's Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations and traditions. This cultural celebration of life, death and family starts on the morning of October 31st and continues into the month of November. Offerings are made from little bells to booze and sweetened pumpkin. Somehow I think Sixteen92 has waited years to offer a scented "eulogy" to this fascinating place and the Day of the Dead as Panteón Viejo de Xoxocotlán is everything exotic, ambient and tasty rolled into one oil. For placement of favourite perfumes within this set, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is my top choice with Panteón Viejo de Xoxocotlán a close second. I didn't expect to say that but hands down Panteón Viejo de Xoxocotlán is the best marigold perfume I have found in the indie realm and I'm in awe how nice my chemistry plays with every note listed. If you love dusty peppery florals with a twist of pseudo-gourmand (the foodie notes are there but I promise you, you won't smell like a bakery) this one is a must to have. As with every oil in the Memento Mori collection, Panteón Viejo de Xoxocotlán smells like a specific location, holds a different feeling and you can tell it was extremely well-researched. Querida (Blood red roses, ceylon cinnamon, smouldering resins, golden amber, ethereal swirl of opium) In addition to cemeteries around the globe/ Memento Mori, Sixteen92 unveiled an Addams' Family set for Fall 2020 and I had to get my claws on Morticia's inspired fragrance. It's taken 6 months but I think I finally have this oil aged and I'm slowly falling under it's particular spell. Now I must admit, the vial wand doesn't hold the most encouraging aroma as I get paint thinner and something masculine smelling (all pinching threatening to turn into one humdinger of a headache), but once applied Querida begins to intrigue and seduce. A thick smoke mix of ancient practices appears first then the dark roses slowly reveal themselves along with a lacing of sweet opium. It's just when the realistic roses and vintage amber that Sixteen92 excels at begin to bloom and take my mind away that the full story and scene of Querida comes clear, this is that beautiful tango scene from the sequel film which made and still makes all little black hearts flutter and vow to learn to dance and never settle. Querida is spicy, exotic, dark, dangerous and full of passion. Who doesn't want to smell like that? Death By Stereo! (Night air on the boardwalk, spun sugar and cider, melted ice cream, cannabis accord, whirling tendrils of nag champa) Here's another that needed quite a bit of aging, however unlike Querida, I'm still not sure about Death By Stereo! as it's sadly forgettable. The brief opening is lovely smelling of cool fall air, spilled apple cider and sweet sticky delights then it transforms entirely into soapy incense and stays that way all night. As much as I want to love Death By Stereo! as the legion of fans who recommended this perfume, I don't think this ode to one of the most iconic and quotable vampire films is for me. I'm going to pass Death By Stereo! along to a friend. (*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- don't hesitate to try a sample of something if it interests you). Oh What Fun! (A bustling winter gathering filled with warm wishes, mulled wine, dried winter figs, cranberry garlands, smoky tonka, vetiver, amber and a whisper of incense.) Mmm, one whiff and I knew I chose wisely with this seasonal oil. I adore the tart scent of cranberry and when added to the mulled wine and hidden pine then it's a merry party. Funny enough it could very well be a sibling fragrance to Hollywood Forever Cemetery (with the tonka, amber and refinement elements), only this is the before holiday party with bulbs flashing and Hollywood Forever is what happens after the lights go out behind the locked gates. No surprise, Oh What Fun! easily landed on my list for favourite holiday perfumes I tried this past year and just like Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Panteón Viejo de Xoxocotlán, I hope these perfumes all return in 2021 for an encore! Sixteen92 *Reviews composed in November 2020 It may be nearly December and there is frost on the windows, but my mind (and nose) have been enjoying a very atypical fall and winter collection of scent collages from Stone & Wit. Who knew you could find unique summertime fruit perfumes in the final throes of autumn tide. Full Transparency: I was offered these samples for an exchange of an honest review.--These are my thoughts. Longevity: Varies between 2 hours (Why Would You Make This!?) to 8 hours (with Ashara) A few words on the stickers: Seeing stickers in packages just touches on some nearly forgotten nostalgic element for me and I get very excited to add indie stickers to my work badge and computer top. Stone & Wit's stickers are excellent quality and I love the smooth matte vinyl finish that goes so well with the printed theme. Mine is still where I stuck it and hasn't slid or melted. *$0.5 from each sticker purchased will be donated to Lotus House Women and Youth Shelter. Onto the perfumes, in order of favourites choices: Turyin (Notes:Pomegranate, plums, sandalwood, gunpowder) A spread of rarely seen notes that I could bathe in. The dark delicious fruits are most dominant on me and the mineral gritty smoke of the gunpowder slowly dirties up the juicy top notes as the hours tick by. I don't smell any sandalwood which is very curious because I normally amplify any hidden creamy woodiness of sandalwood in other perfumes. Slight negative aside, I love the seductive wafts of the pomegranate and plum that catch me off guard when I turn my head and I'm going to call it, TURYIN is my favourite blend I have tried from this house of fragrance, sorry Etta you have been toppled off your throne. We Played Our Records Backwards Too Many Times (Notes: Black cherry, orchids, vetiver, coffee) This opens with creamy dreamy cherry sherbet then slowly morphs with dark coffee beans and vetiver smelling oddly like an aged record then back to soft cherry dessert! The orchids adds a hint of dusty powder to the mix and I'm absolutely thrown for a loop on this blend. Bravo! Why Would You Make This!? (Watermelon, lime, bergamot, paprika, raisins, apples, sichuan pepper) Despite the name this perfume is very wearable and still hits all the unique points of the unexpected. It's spicy, weirdly creamy and savory fruit laced. I get the wet rind of a melon, the distinct aroma of a box of sweet raisins and something smelling akin to vanilla under the warm spices. Definitely unlike anything I have in my vast collection. Ashara (Notes: Black Ink, Nilgiri Tea, White Agar and Palm Dates) This one takes several minutes to calm down from brash tea then a lovely ink from a pen and sweetness of the dates amplifes and lasts hours. The only agar I'm familiar with is for cooking and I do get saltiness from Ashara under the soft fruit and realistic ink. As it is further drying down I smell something akin to aged paper which I really enjoy. This one is a keeper. Frith (Notes: Blueberry, dandelion greens, sage, witch hazel, vetiver) First can we stop and applaud the unique choice of notes and clever homage to the book Watership Down? This isn't your everyday type of fragrance and I must admit it does turn perfumey for me in the end but the beginning is magical with the realistic bright greenery cutting through the vinegar quality of the witch hazel which I could douse myself in (I love vinegar). It's when the blueberry first begins to disappear that Frith morphs and loses that initial green magic. The final note of vetiver keeps everything from becoming soapy and adds some earthy realism back to the mix but I'm sad to say this is just missing something for me that I can't identify or it's the blueberry that is throwing me off. I think this fragrant ode to Watership Down will serve me better as a whipped soap additive in the coming months. Stone & Wit It just takes one unique note listing to get me knocking at a new shop's door and when Twisted Wonderland Perfumery shared a post about a creative spin on ice cream and it was listed as a body oil- I HAD to have it. Black Pepper and Vanilla Ice Cream? That sounded like a heavenly patchwork of sweet and warm spice that I didn't have anything resembling in my vast collection...but oh bother, it was listed under another season's catalogue and looked to be sold out. With pepper and vanilla swirling in my twisted brain, I took a complete shot in the dark and messaged the owner to inquire if one bottle was still available and to my utter delight this mad scent-scientist was an absolute sweetie and offered to make me a custom order! This was only the beginning in the months that followed, come along and let me tell you about my discoveries at Spirit & Venom Olfactory Arts (formerly named Twisted Wonderland). Venom Body & Bath Oil (previously named 'Black Pepper Vanilla Bean Ice Cream') Is a must-have if you love sugary vanilla ice cream with an unexpected edge. The black pepper adds a sinister dark twist to the creamy vanilla and I won't lie it's quite addicting and deliciously wicked!
*Every order it seems an additional sample is tucked inside the packaging along with stickers! (thank you, Spirit & Venom!) Fool this blend is dubbed but you definitely would not feel a fool trying this perfume if you love peach, bubbles and a hint of sugared herbs. On me, this is a bright zippy fruit fragrance that brings to mind a Peach and Guava La Croix on a hot summer afternoon. It hits the spot for something bright and tropical but approachable without coconut and to my amazement the peach is staying true and not morphing into cat urine. I do however wish this fragrance lasted longer as it taps out at 4 hours. Fool was something completely out of my comfort zone but ended up a keeper. The Rest Is Confetti Body and Bath Oil (Notes: A cup of white tea, elegant white musk, marshmallow buttercream cupcakes, & soft rose petals) The bottle contains this intriguing ghostly shimmery oil that flashes green in the light (like an orb) and the fragrance of this oil dries down to a lovely delicate almond cake with rose buttercream fragrance but first the white tea with white musk does give a clean and fresh opening that can be off-putting. The longer this bottle ages, the more I'm enjoying slathering The Rest Is Confetti as the marshmallow sweetness is becoming more noticeable with the soft rose months later which is exactly what I was hoping for when I ordered. Basic Witch Body and Body Oil (Notes: A giant pumpkin milkshake with a side of sugar cookies slathered in decandent pumpkin flavored buttercream) Just as with The Rest Is Confetti, this blend gets better the more it ages. I think it was the hidden almond that was throwing off my nose the first couple months with Basic Witch but tonight I'm happy to report, it's creamy, buttery and sugary pumpkin with a distinct nutmeg heart and I'm happily coated in fragrant orange shimmery oil. The hidden almond is still there but is more muted and falls behind of the top and heart notes. I will note that the bottles are the devil to open if you have RA or limited strength in your hands. Good news they don't spill or drip, bad news, you may need help opening them each time you wish to slather yourself. *I quickly found out it was a better plan to order samples in different fragrances THEN purchase the matching body oils if I fell hard for them. The perfume vials arrived in a wrapped box with little extra details and was ready for gift-giving if you ordered for that purpose. Speaking of packaging, I love the gothic but whimsical elements this shop puts into its labels, boxes and organza bags. It's just that extra touch of some dark flair that catches the eye! Perfume Oils: Ghost (Notes: A mixture of light + dark vanilla notes to create a deep vanilla aroma reminiscent of vanilla extract) As it says on the tin, however there is a chemical woody note with alcohol hiding underneath which takes a few moments to settle down when first applied. A little goes a long way on me as well and this oil fades within 3 hours. I'm marking this vanilla perfume down to add to a deep conditioner/whipped soap treatment this coming week. I think this oil would be divine in my curls versus on my skin. Venom (Notes: Black pepper essential oil combined with sweet vanilla notes making for a sweet fragrance with a sting) Ah, the sweet sinister pairing of pepper and ice cream, how oddly comforting! On me, the pepper is immediately apparent with the vanilla ice cream serving as a creamy backdrop that appears more forward as the warm earthiness of the black pepper fades back but never completely disappears even 7 hours later. No surprise this turned out to be my overall top favourite perfume oil from this shop and I need this topsy-turvy scent in everything! Spirit (Notes and Description: A simple yet beautiful aroma composed of synthetic ambergris. Reminiscent of ozonic/skin musk with hints of amber. If you enjoy a certain mainstream 'not a perfume' this is a must have). Yep, I know that scent, it's Iso E Super with a hidden cedarwood and vanilla base. I was hoping for more amber to shine through with salty ambergris but it's a strange chemical wood note rising to my nose that I recognize from the beginning of Ghost. Spirit is intriguing but I don't think for me. For longevity, this oil vanishes within an hour on my skin. Mistress of the Dark (Notes: A sexy seductive blend of spun sugar, dragons blood, and patchouli) *a free sample with my one order Why am I feeling like in I'm in the Templar's Tomb with a row of goblets and I must pick one? Okay, let's try again, haha. I had such unexpected fantastic luck with Fool, I'm grabbing something completely out of my comfort zone with spun sugar and... I chose wisely, as I really like the playful but darkly seductive qualities of Mistress of the Dark! Yay! Oh thank the shining perfume stars as this one is sweet but suggestive with the dragons blood and soft patchouli and lasts well past 8 hours on my skin. I now wish I owned a tight black velvet dress to match this slinky little perfume, ah wardrobe goals for 2021. Nevermore (Notes: A beautiful light woodsy musk combined with fresh red rose and a dash of sweet tobacco) If I wasn't already completely smitten by another tobacco and rose perfume from Redwood Alchemy (review coming soon), I would consider a full bottle of Nevermore as this is another surprising alluring fragrance that is hard to stop sneaking sniffs of when no one is looking. This is bringing to mind the lost figure of Lenore from The Raven at a Jazz Night Club in the 30s or 40s, bathed in blue spotlights. The rose is sweet and velvety and the tobacco is leaning more cigarette cut versus pipe tobacco but it's lovely all the same. This one is a keeper and one to recommend. Graveyard Smash (Notes and Description: A scent reminiscent of a nice stroll through the local cemetery. Crisp leaves in the air, mossy gravestones, freshly dug plots, graveyard flowers, and a hint of your pumpkin latte) In the vial I definitely detect the spiced pumpkin latte with wet dirt and moss and on my skin more realistic ancient weathered stone hits my nose. It's an interesting autumnal atmospheric and morphs hours later to reveal a funeral lily note that lasts nearly 10 hours. I do have another perfume that is similar from another shop so I'm undecided on Graveyard Smash in a full size but I will be keeping the vial for next fall, what dark little heart doesn't want to collect and show off all the convincing cemetery scents from across the indie realm? Black Flame Candle (Notes: Crunchy leaves, evening rain, dusty books, cobweb musk, fall spice, a candle lit after 3 centuries by a virgin) Anyone that knows me, knows if there is a Hocus Pocus reference mentioned in a fragrance catalogue then it shall be MINE! After being impressed with the realistic earthy notes in Graveyard Smash I circled back for this vial when the Halloween collection was announced and I wasn't disappointed. All the atmospheric elements are there telling one amazing scent story with thick aged leather and a hidden savoury note amping on my skin, I have to keep checking the listed notes because I swear I smell bread in an oven with the ancient dusty leather book laying on top of the stove serving as a fiendish cook book. The cobweb musk is sticky with the fall spice in the strands and the muddy leaves serves as the base with a swirl of incense and smoke. I don't detect any waxiness from a candle. Just like Graveyard Smash, this ode to a treasured film is a keeper and one to show off next October. Light As A Feather (Notes: A witchin' sleepover, clove cigarettes, fluffy pillows, buttered popcorn, burning candles, and pints of ice cream.) *a free sample found nestled in another order Right away, I get the smokey clove, butter, vanilla creaminess (and even a hint of hidden dragon's blood) however there is an unexpected sweet bubblegum note that is overwhelming the witchy top scents. Sadly this isn't a late teenage edgy version with a twist of nostalgic gourmand I was hoping for (I was really hoping for realistic ice cream or marshmallow). This oil is more playful "baby witch" on first application. After a few hours it transforms thankfully as the powdery bazooka bubblegum fades away and the creamy vanilla with clove and incense comes out to play. I think this one will be amazing by next Fall. Lip Balms: *Besides the body and bath oils, I fell hard for this shop's stellar lip balm formulas and scents/flavours. I went back twice for different orders and even grabbed some for Christmas gifts which went over wildly well. Rest In Pieces lip balm (flavour: Reeses Pieces) *says "In Pieces" on the site, but my tube says "Rest In Pieces" Yisss this is exactly what I wanted when I ordered. It smells exactly like the inside of a bitten Reeses Pieces candy. The taste is muted which I understand because of allergy concerns, but I still love this product. For performance I have to applaud the formula, it's definitely one of the best lip products I have tried from the indie realm. Does it beat my go-to from Curious Apothecary? No, but Rest In Pieces is second on the list and I want to try the other yummy sounding flavours Spirit & Venom offers. S'more-Hees lip balm (flavour: S'mores) Absolutely delectable and realistic! I get the honeyed graham cracker with a hint of roasted marshmallow more than anything with the scent from the tube but when applied all the promised notes come out and it tastes divine with a buttery smack of the lips. I wish both of these lip balm flavours came in the body and bath oils, until then I'll be stocking up for the seasons. Fingers crossed a chocolate easter bunny flavour is coming for spring or lemon cake. Spirit and Venom Olfactory Arts It's that time of the year to take a stroll into the indie fruit orchards and hopefully encounter a haunting floral veil to another time and place. Last year I found my beloved Exsanguinated on an excursion into the dark crypts of Nui Cobalt's Autumn collections, what will I find this year? One Note At A Time: Murder of Crows (A gothic gathering of blue-black plumage and keen, glittering eyes. Nag champa, smoldering myrrh, and tobacco sparked with clove bud, violet, fir needle, star anise, and currant. Anoint your pulse points in preparation for nocturnal magic, dreamwalking, or astral travel.) *purchased vial A gothic ode to everything mysterious and darkly romantic with a familiar scent memory of Bad Moon Rising sans the blueberry. If anything Murder of Crows is darker in nature with a distinct tobacco, clove, violet and hidden animalistic-quality medley under the resins and incense that appear to the nose first. A very aptly named scent creation that even carries a clever representation of the oily sheen of black and iridescent feathers. For longevity, Murder of Crows goes on to enchant my senses and then fades at 5 hours and makes me wish for more rainy cold days of gothic-themed reading and researching macabre obscure subjects of history. Apple Picking (The orchard at its peak, limbs heavy and bushels brimming. Barely-ripe apples, green leaves, rain-soaked soil, wicker baskets, and golden hay. Wear this powerful prosperity blend to call forth wealth and abundance. Anoint money charms and mojo bags to increase their power.) *purchased vial I said it once and I'll say it again, Nui Cobalt has some of the best apple blends to be found in the indie realm! Apple Picking is a pure autumnal delight with piles of realistic wet apple skin and freshly bitten juicy flesh all arranged on top of a nestling of sun-warmed hay. It's a trip back to the apple orchards of my youth collecting apples with my great aunt to make her infamous pies and dumplings. I adore this soothing fragrance and how it morphs every time I wear it on my skin or in my hair, today more dry wooden basket and apple skin is present to my nose when the winds gust. Cauldron Cider (Comfort in a bottle. A warm brew of honeycrisp apples simmered for days with ginger root, black clove bud, cardamom, cassia, and star anise. Wear this cozy blend for solace and resolution. Anoint mojo bags for peace of mind and a general sense of well-being.) *purchased vial On me, Cauldron Cider is intoxicating spiced full-bodied apple ginger ale with star anise pods bobbing on top. I fully admit I'm a bit enamoured with this one and it indeed smells like fall and is spicey and a bit woodsy on the long dry down. This is another scent potion that could be served as you go wild in a pumpkin patch; in ways, it reminds me of Drunk Pumpkin sans the smokey booze and pumpkin. It's uplifting yet darkly seductive with the star anise and clove. For longevity, I can expect a full night of apple spiced apple ginger ale wafting around me from my skin and my curls. Owl in the Oak Tree (The golden Autumnal sister of Yultide's Owl in the Evergreen. Tawny feathers and bright amber eyes hold a steady gaze among the changing leaves. Regal oakwood, sugar maple and mahogany, slender white limbs of birch, and cold rocks covered in emerald moss. Wear this woodland blend to align with the spirits of Nature and the galvanizing energy of the forest.) *sample arrived with my order, thank you so much Nui Cobalt Designs When first applied I get the impression of entering a thick grove of pine trees with a breeze of ghostly violets gusting out of the winds then the earthy notes of moss and bark begin to materialize with a mintiness I have come to understand my chemistry changes birch into. It's a mix of mint and cold earth for a few hours then the distinct unboiled maple sap from a wet tree arrives with warm amber. Owl in the Oak Tree is a meditative scent escape. Ominous Orchard (Slender branches silhouetted against the evening sky, sending the last of their sweetness into the gathering gloom as the pale moon turns the clouds to silver. This clean and bracing blend enlivens the senses and sharpens the mind. Crisp apples, young green growth and a wisp of deer musk accord on the chilly air.) *purchased vial If Apple Picking is an innocent nostalgic visit to the apple orchard Omnionus Orchard is the fateful moment an attractive and mysterious stranger crosses your path and holds out an apple to you with a smouldering stare and intense soul (most definitely a Scorpio)! Do you follow them into the gathering night and the unknown? I know I would! The clean musk mingled with the sweet apple is just oddly suggestive and I'll just tuck this one away for "someday", haha. ______________________________________________________ So I lost my heart in the dark orchard, what will I find on the Big Island? Let's find out! *all of the following perfumes were sent for an honest review, thank you so much Forest and Josh. Brunch on the Lanai (A luxurious scent to attract wealth and pleasure in all of its forms. Mimosas, french toast with lilikoi preserves, and the gentlest hint of pikake on the breeze though sheer cotton curtains.) I get a bracing sweet airiness of orange and tart exotic fruits and something like floral vanilla honey. It's exceedingly pretty and uplifting. There is a touch of expensive laundry detergent tickling my nose which must be the "sheer cotton curtains", I usually have a strong aversion to anything like laundry or shampoo, but I can't stop amusing myself by creating a mini cloud of a vision of a bright tropical morning by gently waving my wrist in front of my nose and letting the soft sweetness take me away. I don't know where I would wear Brunch on the Lanai, but I'll sure find a fitting fun place too. This one is a keeper! Ohana (A comforting scent to welcome you, ease your mind, and make you feel at home wherever you are. Soft sand, sunwashed driftwood, the cooling shade of the front porch and a plate of homemade haupia malasadas (coconut custard donuts). Oh, this is another keeper as vanilla sugar-dusted coconut dessert and salty wood wafts around me. I get another exotic fruit appearing at the edges that has a hint of honey and the drydown carries a bit of unexpected smoke. It's lovely and like Brunch on the Lanai, it's uplifting and transporting. I'm a little taken aback how much I love these unfamiliar genre of notes. They are so happy and sunny. I'm so glad I tried something completely out of my comfort zone, as I can honestly say, Nui Cobalt Designs turned me in a coconut lover. Plumeria Lei 2020 (A traditional greeting in the Hawaiian Islands is to place the lei briefly over one's own head, then drape it over the shoulders of the guest. The Islands' most abundant bloom symbolizes new beginnings, love, and all that is good in life. Our plumeria accord is a delicate bouquet of osmanthus, peony, lime blossom, and tuberose lifted by subtle glimmers of Asian pear and sugared lemon. Wear this uplifting scent to brighten your mood and banish malaise.) Ah, I knew my finicky chemistry would sense my happiness and be determined to ruin something for me, sadly Plumeria Lei has been chosen. I had such high hopes for this vial especially with the listed lime blossom and pear and I'm sure it would be stunning on anyone else, but on me, overwhelming expensive hair shampoo takes over after a few marvellous seconds of velvety blooms and lovely citrus. Oh, bother this one was so promising for those few precious moments. Does anyone want to trade skin chemistries? (**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- don't hesitate to try a sample of something if it interests you). Waipio Valley (The Valley of the Kings is adorned with towering waterfalls, a crescent black sand beach, and a palpable primal energy. This sacred space has survived two tsunamis without a single casualty. Dark myrrh and vetiver, sand-smoothed teak wood, kava kava, rain-drenched ti leaves, and a subtle touch of dry coconut husk. Wear this mysterious scent to wrap yourself in fiercely loving protection. Anoint black candles to ward off malicious energy and restore a sense of security.) The black sands of the big islands are something I dearly would love to see someday and until then I will wear this soothing woody resiny blend and let my mind slip away and imagine my toes sinking into warm ancient sands. The perfume differs of Waipio Valley slightly to my nose versus the candle I own of the same name, I get more salty teak wood in the candle while my skin amps the dry smokey coconut and resins. There is also a mysterious minty-like note I get that I'm beginning wondering is myrrh. It's still all a great fragrance to fall asleep wearing or read by and yes, I do feel curiously protected. Sister Of Stars (She gazes skyward, matching cosmic rhythms that send her mind aloft. Eyes like lightning-struck silver reflected in dragonflies’ wings. My Sister sees me. Dew-drenched linden blossom, Persian lime, blueberry seltzer, one white rose, and the subtlest insinuation of fresh garden mint.) Superb! This could very well be a starry-eyed sister scent of Manta Ray. Ah, Nui Cobalt's dewy realistic roses just take away my senses and make me beam, they are gorgeous in every way and here in Sister Of Stars, the nectar of the sweet white rose blends so perfectly with the fruity tartness of the effervescent blueberry and lime. The promised mint is indeed there and shows up after a few moments adding a unique gentle green herbal twist to everything. You won't find this combination in the department stores. And now Part II of my trove of scent potions and autumnal olfactory delights from Nui Cobalt Designs (Thank you so much, Forest and Josh, for the press samples!) For longevity: Shortest- Creative Spark at barely 2 hours and for Longest- The Widow Wore Red at 19 hours. Pumpkins & Spidersilk (An autumnal variation on our beloved Starlight and Spidersilk. Slender strands of cotton flower hung with trembling dewdrops, cold crystalline musk, tiny black vanilla beans, pumpkin chai, hot cinnamon rolls, nutmeg, clove, allspice, and a scant drop of honey. Wear to warm your heart, lift your spirits, and take time for simple pleasures.) ✴Please note: this perfume contains cinnamon, and should be avoided by those with cinnamon sensitivities. ✴Purchased bottle I have searched near and far for the comforting spirit of fall bottled and Nui Cobalt Designs presented exactly what I have been desiring for so long. The notes say purely gourmand, but the nose receives layers of heartening autumnal therapy with warm spices, a kiss of sweet creamy pumpkin icing and the familiar "cold" vanilla element of Starlight & Spidersilk underneath waiting to deepen and morph with the passing hours. I also detect the slightest drop of sandalwood and unexpected realistic cream cheese frosting and a wisp of smoke. It's full of delightful surprises and it's finally home. Black Moon (This proliferant perfume is teeming with generative force and fierce fecundity. It nourishes and the seeds of intention, filling them with raw vitality. It's a master of manifestation, propelling invocations toward fulfillment ... so be careful what you wish for. Dark incense coils about an ebony altar abounding in spiced fig preserves, saffron-poached plums, green mandarin, and honey on the comb. Black Moon is handcrafted and charged under the rare auspices of the second consecutive New Moon in a single sign. Like the Blue Moon, this event holds uniquely amplified power to bless new beginnings and access hidden reserves of magical potency.) ✴Press Sample for review The notes selected for Black Moon curiously capture something slowly awakening within myself with a sweetness of the honey and bright mandarin lightly masking a dual darkness of plum, incense and hidden clove underneath that I can't help but to gravitate towards. The more and more I'm delving into different interests and topics I'm finding I have quite a bit of dark moon energy about myself that I hide (and even deny) every day and I need to just love about my being and embrace. 2020 was a year of unexpected change and transformation for myself and Black Moon is one of those fragrances that will serve as a scent memory for me as I continue on my journey. Brigid's Fire (A warming blend to honor the Awakening Goddess and invoke her inspiration. Spiced fig and apricot preserves, smoldering patchouli and pipe tobacco swirled with tannic black tea and languid benzoin. Wear this luminous scent to stoke the fires of creativity and vitality at your sacred center.) ✴Free Sample with Previous Purchase A very aptly named fragrance as I can clearly smell the heat from the spices intertwined with the tobacco and fruit giving the overall nifty impression of heat and flames. After a few moments, the tannic black tea makes itself known but never turns soapy which is some type of unexplained magic in itself. For longevity Brigid's Fire burns out on me about 6 hours and leaves with an aroma of warm clove with hint of apricot honey and metal-like patchouli. Hekate Deichteira (The Teacher. The Revealer. She whose torch illuminates the path so that experience may become wisdom. A chaplet of laurel, olive leaves, sage, rosemary, acacia wood, white lotus, moonflower, deep purple heliotrope, claret, and black fig. Wear to enliven the mind and enhance perception. Anoint purple candles to increase psychic abilities.) ✴Press Sample for review On application this perfume smells like rich olive oil and meditative herbs then this sweetness of the heliotrope and wine start to appear and it turns into herbal fruit marshmallow on me. The velvety white florals add some mystical aquatic impression to Hekate Deichteira and the more I wear this the more I enjoy it and find new facets that turn my head to attention. Not your everyday type of fragrance but I find this soft and relaxing and it goes perfectly with an icy windy day you can curl up with a good book (or take a nap wearing). The Widow Wore Red (A shameless concoction of spiced plum, lascivious musk, patchouli, tart cherry, sweet pipe tobacco, warm gingerbread drizzled with vanilla caramel dusted with clove, coriander, and cardamom. Wear when you're ready to liberate yourself from sorrow and doubt, to abandon all pretense of timidity and let your Fierce flag fly.) ✴Purchased So you want to smell like the Grand High Witch from The Witches or just a bit dangerously delicious and provocative, well Nui Cobalt has a fragrance for you... The Widow Wore Red is a sweet "come closer" type of perfume and then the dark spiced fruit and under notes come out to play and it has a fiendish beautiful side that others around are sure to notice. Exactly what I envision enrobing one of my favourite characters from fiction and fantasy film (and it even smells "violet and glowing"). I love how this perfume makes me feel and how it encourages some themed fun! Woodsmoke & Spidersilk (A cozy variation on our beloved Starlight and Spidersilk. Slender strands of cotton flower hung with trembling dewdrops, cold crystalline musk, tiny black vanilla beans, aged oakwood, roasted pistachio, mahogany, oud, Peru balsam, amyris, and toasted marshmallow. Wear for calming and comfort. Warm in an oil diffuser to cast a spell of Hygge within the home.) ✴Press Sample for review I am weak in the presence of a good smoke blend and Woodsmoke & Spidersilk makes my senses just swoon. This perfume perfectly straddles the autumn and winter mark and the familiar Starlight & Spidersilk serves as the perfect backdrop of this perfume creating the idea of a romantic haunting memory of a smouldering fire and basis of a beautiful complex mystery. I am the alluring ghost of Manderley in this perfume. Blue Moon at Samhain (A luminous potion for casting your most powerful spells. Smooth driftwood glistening with sea salt, pearl gardenia, oat milk, coconut flesh, forget-me-not, neroli, and a trace of lavender. Wear to enhance intuition or amplify magical potency. Anoint ritual candles to invoke Lunar deities and nocturnal spirits.) ✴Press Sample for review A lovely salty gardenia fragrance opens with Blue Moon at Samhain and the feeling of vintage elegance follows along with soft creamy powder. This is what to wear when you want to feel radiant and a bit mystical in your surroundings. I wore this the first time the day after Halloween and it oddly reminded me of the flash of a moonstone. If Beauty didn't already captivate me, Blue Moon at Samhain would have been coming home. I hope it returns next year. Beauty (It illuminates your charms and amplifies allure, encouraging self care and the avid appreciation of your finest qualities. An exquisite air of Caribbean teakwood, nectarine, water lilies, Magdagascar vanilla, heirloom roses, tobacco flower, and lavande de Provence over smooth tonka bean. Wear any time you need to be reminded of your innate perfection. Employ in rituals of attraction to awaken your inner radiance.) ✴Press Sample for review Few times can I recall when a perfume has made me feel so positive and "comfortable" about myself and I waited far too long to try Beauty. I was initially concerned about the listed teak wood and tobacco flower, but these notes are so subdued if not completely absent to my nose and I only receive a soft glowing aura of downy powder with a kiss of citrus that has caught me off guard at different times and I have been surprisingly finding myself stopping to contemplate in the looking glass several times long after midnight and noticing subtle pleasant features about my person (I recently lost 50 pounds so new things and positive changes in the mirror are a welcome sight). Perhaps it's the simple power of persuasion or something magically swirled in with this blend, but whatever it is this is a perfume to wear when you need a little morale boost and a nudge to hold your head up just a little higher when you enter a room or speak to a stranger. Crone's Cottage (Encouragement in a bottle. This witches' brew is imbued with strength, fortitude, and optimism. Oatmeal cookies still warm from the oven, beeswax candles on the windowsill, a warm cup of strong black tea with milk, and a generous dollop of honey. Wear this heartening scent to prepare for any challenge and restore a sense of self-confidence.) ✴Purchased This blend starts out almost boozy smelling akin to Flummery from their popular Great Bakers Challenge/April Fool's collection then it settles right down to dried spiced apple rolled honey oat clusters and a piping hot cup of black tea you want to wrap yourself in. I'm constantly amazed with Nui Cobalt's tea blends and Crone's Cottage shares the same tannic warmth from Stinger which was also a surprise success with my finicky skin chemistry. There is no soapiness to report here and as this vial is slowly aging the realistic beeswax Nui Cobalt excels at is coming more noticeable to my nose hours later along with some lingering apple oat spice. Daughter of the Dark Moon (The Sorceress sings as dusk descends, dressed in unencumbered starlight. Her laughter weaves a living tapestry of ancient and sacred truths. She awakens me to my power. Black coconut, nocturnal jasmine, tuberose, gardenia, white sandalwood, dried lavender, sheer cotton, and a trace of Tahitian vanilla.) ✴Press Sample for review A clean fresh perfume with tuberose sharing the spotlight with lovely nocturnal jasmine. The coconut lends a smooth slight tropical quality to this and the drydown is this shop's trademark divine creamy sandalwood and vanilla. This one is a like not a love and I'm going to enjoy Daughter of the Dark Moon in my whipped soap and a deep hair conditioning treatment some night soon. Hekate Potnia Theron (Mistress of Animals. Lady of the Wild Beasts. She who cherishes all who slither and soar, who climb and crawl. Green fig, cedar, cypress, orris root, golden hay, toasted oats, warm suede, woodland musk, and tonka. Wear to align yourself with Nature and ignite your primal wisdom.) ✴Press Sample for review This oil opens with a sweet grape skin then morphs to buttery suede and oats. It reminds me a little of White Tailed-Deer, but with more grounding earthy elements and it isn't like cream dipped suede with sugared berries, Hekate Potnia Theron has a bit of masculine bite which isn't for me either. I will say this one stays close to the skin even with the suede and woodland musk. It's a keeper I'm just not sure where I would wear this. Sister of Stars (Her chin is always up. I lift my own. We scan the golden, sunlit clouds. Time cannot touch this effortless afternoon. A smile and a tilt of her head. “This sucks,” she teases. And I couldn’t have found a better way to praise the day. My Sister elevates me. Spun sugar, lavender water, two chilled mojitos, teakwood beach chairs, melted white amber, the softest cotton sundress, and clouds.) ✴Press Sample for review I can't recall if this was part of the Big Island collection or not but Sister of Stars smells like a tropical drink melting on my wrist. On application, it's a bracing sugared mint then gentle hidden citrus appears along with soft lavender. At this point, it does lean a tad into the expensive laundry detergent area, but the final dry down of the sweet white amber saves this experience for me. I like how Sister of Stars smells on my skin but I think this would be amazing in my hair as an argan oil additive. Porch Swing (A lazy Autumn afternoon when the sun is setting gold. Oakwood, amber, pear preserves, skin-warmed cotton, fresh rhubarb, rosemary, and tea. Wear this calming, centering blend to bring you back to the present moment. Warm in a diffuser to set a relaxed mood in your home.) ✴Press Sample for review There's always exceptions to my nose and lists of likes and Porch Swing manages to hit them all. Yes, it does smell like expensive laundry soap at different points of wear and yes the tart rhubarb amplifies on me, but the rich sweetness of the pear preserves, rosemary with tannic tea and the stunning finish of the warm amber all saves the day and I can't stop dabbing this lovely blend on. It brings to mind a carefree summer picnic and twinkling fireflies off in the distance. What can I say I'm a sucker for a good pear note and Nui Cobalt has some of the best accords. Cut & Clear (A no-nonsense banishing blend to expel negativity from your life. Fresh lemon zest, purifying benzoin, black raspberry bramble with the thorns left on, rainwater, Silver Needle white tea, angelica, garden mint, crushed white peppercorn, and bay leaf, infused with home-grown lemon thyme and lemon verbena. Wear to repel bad influences and hurtful people. Anoint papers inscribed with the name(s) of whomever you want to remove from your circle, set your magical intention, then burn the paper on a Saturday during the waning moon.) ✴Press Sample for review If you are looking for an energizing citrus zip, look no further than this blend. To me, Cut & Clear smells like lemonade pepper tea with rolled up lemon verbena and thyme on the side of the glass. Refreshing and electrified with an earthy greenness underneath. I'm definitely going to be reaching for this vial in the summer months and sprinkling a couple of drops in my bathwater. Hekate Enodia (She of the Crossroads. Lady of the Ways. The goddess who guards, guides, and grants passage. An offertory incense of copal and myrrh, clove bud, star anise, sweet pipe tobacco, Bosc pear, bitter almond, tonka bean, freshly turned earth, and a sprig of rosemary. Wear to improve navigational skills, both geographic and philosophic. Warm three drops in a diffuser as an offering to the Divine Feminine) ✴Press Sample for review This is the delicious and mysterious lovechild of The Bees Knees and Snowball Fight. I'm weak for pear blends and this one is gorgeous and has in its wake smooth vanilla almond, anise (which is another weakness for me) and a drizzle of hidden honey I recognize from the above mentioned perfumes. I also receive a medicinal waft of rosemary on the long drydown which added with the almond and anise gives Hekate Enodia a different edge. If I didn't already own bottles of The Bees Knees and Snowball Fight, Hecate Enodia would be coming home. Stories & Spidersilk (A scholarly variation on our beloved Starlight and Spidersilk. Slender strands of cotton flower hung with trembling dewdrops, cold crystalline musk, tiny black vanilla beans, aging leather-bound books, pipe tobacco, and towering wooden shelves. Wear to honor the spirits of wordsmiths past, to invoke your literary Muse, and to enhance eloquence.) ✴Press Sample for review Stories & Spidersilk was another fragrance that almost accompanied me out on Halloween night as I had the notion weeks before to don a fitted red trenchcoat, hat and yellow scarf and let 90s fantasies take wing finally as a dream Carmen Sandiego costume but then I found the perfect aristocrat vampire outfit and scrapped that plan. Still, I can't get the idea of this being the perfect perfume for the cunning seductive ex-detective. The realistic leather from a well-thumbed tome opens this scent potion and a hint of salt from the aged pages along with wet ink becomes noticeable as the minutes tick by, the familiar Spidersilk serves as the suggestive base and I notice a wisp of lily of the valley hiding in the far background. This really is the scent of a wicked brilliant mastermind who loves to play mind games. Spring-Heeled Jack (An ode to the cultural phenomenon of the Urban Legend: the shared stories that reveal our collective fears and darker inclinations.London fog, rain-soaked cobblestones, blue Atlas cedar, bergamot, charcoal tweed, grey musk, and the fading scent of Victorian violet powder.) ✴Press Sample for review Meet Gremlin's sibling fragrance, this one has the same intriguing quasi-atmospheric elements, but for me, Spring-Heeled Jack is more wearable (I love Gremlin but that blend leans too masculine than I feel comfortable wearing out; I'm saving it for my future fella). On me the clean sweet bergamot amplifies for a good hour and sets the scene with the wet environment notes then this incredibly realistic tweed material aroma comes out of nowhere along with grounding smoky cedar and these accords wrap about my senses and completely take me away to another era of refinement and complete the story. Surprisingly the listed violet is very subdued on my skin which tends to amp that floral, that's another kind of magic right there. Nui Cobalt deserves so much more recognition especially when it comes to their realistic tactile blends and way with tricky florals. Second Harvest: Fruit (Luscious abundance. Homemade pies and preserves brimming with spiced pear, blackberry, apricot and currant. Wear this confection to attract pleasure and feelings of contentment. Anoint pink or gold candles to manifest luxury and creature comforts.) ✴Press Sample for review All these luscious dark notes should equal my favourite blend of them all but alas my chemistry morphed everything to sticky cherry cough syrup. In the beginning Second Harvest: Fruit has serious potential as it brings to mind Welch's Fruit Snacks I fondly remember as a child but then it all changes. I'm going to use this one in whipped soap in the coming weeks. (**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- don't hesitate to try a sample of something if it interests you). Incense & Spidersilk (A meditative variation on our beloved Starlight and Spidersilk. Slender strands of cotton flower hung with trembling dewdrops, cold crystalline musk, tiny black vanilla beans, light and dark amber, copal, nag champa, frankincense, and myrrh. Wear to quiet the thoughts and open the mind. It is particularly helpful in restoring calm after stressful encounters.) ✴Press Sample for review Oh dear, this one. I've tried several times and my chemistry transforms all the lovely notes into soapy incense that gives me a pinching headache. Reading others' stellar impressions it is apparent this is the portion of the perfume wearing that my chemistry has decided it sensed my happiness long enough and will destroy everything I was excited about. (**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- don't hesitate to try a sample of something if it interests you). Calico Cat (A dynamic blend to keep you resilient and adaptable. Tawny suede, pale sandalwood, toasted coconut, deep amber, and golden honey are accented with bright satsuma, and spiced tamarind. Wear for smooth navigation of challenges. Anoint the tools of your profession to turn obstacles into opportunities.) ✴Please note: this perfume contains cinnamon, and should be avoided by those with cinnamon sensitivities. ✴Press Sample for review True to its name this perfume is bright, playful and relaxing to be in the presence of. On me, the sandalwood and honey are dominant as the top notes of the light tropical fruits fade away after a few minutes. It reminds me in ways of Valkyrie but softer so now I think Calico Cat as the cuddly companion scent. I love both of them for different reasons. Creative Spark (An illuminating blend to summon your muse and elevate your skills. Lime zest, sparkling white grapefruit, bergamot, allspice, sun-warmed teak, cardamom pods, amber resin, frankincense, fresh green fig, and a wisp of Chinese trumpet lily. Apply to pulse points when engaging in your craft. Anoint the tools of your trade or dress candles to invoke artistic acumen.) ✴Press Sample for review Here's another blend that helps me "put on my thinking cap" as uplifting citrus and spice make the perfect combination and are further deepened by the addition of the warm teak wood and resins. It's an overall wonderful fragrance but sadly fades quickly so I need to jot my inspired ideas down quickly whilst I wear Creative Spark otherwise they are gone. Mystery of Maple Walk (Whispering leaves flutter down in shades of livid crimson. Their secrets die with nightfall and the silent portent of snow. This comforting blend inspires relaxation and a deep sense of calm contentment. Sugar maple swirled with spices, dragon's blood, dark woods, frozen flakes of vanilla and a single drop of the blackest black cherry.) ✴Press Sample for review Mmmph there is something about black cherry for me that gets my immediate approval when it is noticed and Mystery of Maple Walk has a lovely note of it that is twirled about warm vanilla, smoked sandalwood and velvety resin. The maple and dragon's blood does tend to amplify on my skin after a bit so I prefer to wear Mystery of Maple Walk in my curls where the sandalwood really shines with the black cherry. This one is a definite keeper. Seduced By Spidersilk (A provocative variation on our beloved Starlight and Spidersilk. Slender strands of cotton flower hung with trembling dewdrops, cold crystalline musk, tiny black vanilla beans, cherry wine, dragon’s blood and amber resins, tupelo honey, and an irresistible blend of aphrodisiac spices: cardamom, clove, ginger root, coriander, and cassia. Wear to ensnare the object of your desire and to ignite carnal passions. Please note: this perfume contains cinnamon, and should be avoided by those with cinnamon sensitivities) ✴Purchased/Currently available on the site The time's come to play with this scent potion as I get this intoxicating mix of sweet spiced cherry wine, honey from Pele's Fire and the familiar coldness of Spidersilk that all takes my senses far away and I feel I can channel my inner Sarah Sanderson. This oil loves to morph on my skin and the more I wear it out I'm noticing the initial playful sweetness gives way to the rich seductive dragon's blood and waiting warm amber in about an hour time and then the haunting wisps of romantic styled vanilla from Starlight & Spidersilk finishes out the night. 'Tis gorgeous and lasts through a 12-hour shift! Nui Cobalt Designs Sometimes you don't know what to say except "thank you" and weep for such an outstanding act of kindness. That's exactly what I did when I was sent these gorgeous swan earrings from the owner of Boheme Bijou out of the clear blue. They encompass the sweetest and most elegant representations of history and the Art Nouveau movement (as well of a bit of the Art Deco style) so popular during the end of the 19th into the early 20th century (eras this indie artist excels at). I simply adore them and look out in 2021 for an Anna Pavlovna Pavlova and her pet swan Jack themed post to appear on my page on social media all because of these inspired stunners. Thank you so much again, Constance! Boheme Bijou My nose really can take me to some bizarre places, take for a good example this next house of fragrance called Redwood Alchemy that promised quite the fragrance journey with a just released scent of a trip to the drive-in that involved classic buttery and sweet popcorn with a splash of spilled blood. You read that right, BLOOD. Being that wondrous time of the year when the werewolves, ghosts and vampires roamed, I had to try this blend (with fingers crossed my secret search had come to an end of finding a realistic gore fest from the indie world and not just a dragon's blood substitute) and I also grabbed a few others that were calling me. All I can say, this was strangely beautiful introduction and the start of another list of recommendations. ___________________________________________________ *Reviews composed in November 2020 The gorgeous Hallowe'en Full Moon has come and gone along with a much-needed sugar kick (it was a Taurus moon afterall and it needed to be toasted with an indulgence or two; so no shame) and the howling winds of winter have unexpectedly come abanging at the shutters for many tonight. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm never ready for those frigid reminders and luckily I can keep those types of unwanted demons at bay with slathering myself in powerful scent potions from the indie realm. My latest little trove of themed fragrances arrived from Redwood Alchemy and as the title says: "When it is Hallowe'en every day with indies, the ghosts and vampires never have to fade away" So let's call forth four special selections and a surprise fifth that showed up at my door at the perfect moment. Purchased: October 7th and delivered October 17th Longevity: Between an impressive 15+ hours (Anubis) to 4 hours (Murder At The Movies) on the skin One Note At A Time: Murder At The Movies (Description: Pull up to the Drive-In with your sweetheart for this midnight Blood and Kettle corn double-feature. The cozy familiar fragrance of warm, buttery, carmel topped popcorn with a caustic splattering of sweet metallic blood.) Notes: Popcorn, Butter, Carmel and Blood Murder At the Movies is buttery sweet and carries a realistic tang of salty metallic blood which is all oddly comforting and completely unique within my collection. It's one seriously twisted playful perfume with a satisfying unnerving element you can't wait to share with others and also has some unexplained sleep/relaxation quality to it I wasn't expecting. Who knew a sinister gourmand could help me drift off to dreamland (and could be so wearable). Longevity varies on where I place the oil, on my wrists and arms about 4 hours, on my neck about 6 hours; while in my hair or at the hairline on my neck 10 hours. Areté (Description: As ephemeral as the fae winds - sweet & musky.) Notes: Lily of the Valley, Vanilla, Amber, Cashmere As it says in the tin and how this shop's stellar customer service painted it- haunting and ethereal. I've only had my mini bottle of Areté a few weeks, but I'm already impressed and want to try more. The spice note (very much like coriander) that appears first to the nose is another welcome surprise from this sample box and I'm downright smitten with the romantic musky vanilla and Lily of the Valley that manifests and stays for hours afterward and lends to an overall expensive smelling vintage-esque quality that fits in perfectly with my personal aesthetic and is right at home on my vintage vanity table. This is the scent of a romantic ghost of beauty. I can't wait to see (and smell) what else this charming little house of fragrance has planned next. Cyanide (A poisonously sweet fragrance that combines the scent of bitter almonds with hints of toxic fruit pits like apple, apricot and peach that dries down to a venomous sweet almond spice.) Notes: Almond, Cherries, Clove Top marks for overall presentation and fine attention to detail of these fragrances even right down to the font type on the vintage-esque apothecary bottles. When it comes to Cyanide, my black little heart skips a beat how dead-on sinister this smells and the applaudable research that obviously went into this perfume's creation. This isn't a child-like candy fruit perfume, (so gentle wearer beware), Cyanide coils about your senses with a distinct cherry bitter almond aroma and further plays on your most dark fantasies with an additional drop or two of warm spice. Perfect for reading some fiendish unsolved murder mystery whilst enjoying a piping cup of tea or stepping out for the night where a few raised and intrigued eyebrows will be sure to appear. Now that's a perfume worthy of the name of Cyanide. Anubis (Description: This Egyptian funeral fragrance embodies an authentic herbal mix of wood resins, oils, aromatic spices and papyrus reminiscent of actual mummification materials used in ancient Egypt.) Notes: No listed notes One of the myriad things I love about Indie Perfumes is how they can transport you to new worlds and Anubis is a directly sweeping fragrance back through the sands of time to a royal funeral in Ancient Egypt. Quite a few precious resins make up this blend and my nose detects the almost lemony frankincense amplifying above them all with various dry herbs, a floral akin to geranium and a hint of salt. The promised papyrus is the last note to leave me 15 hours later and this was exactly what I was hoping for when I ordered this mini sample bottle- a well-researched scent experience not of this century. But wait, there's more! I'll be right baaack... *I almost changed my carefully planned costume idea of a Victorian Vampire Aristocrat this year for a seductive Cleopatra after trying Anubis, it has that power to turn everything on its head. Ah, but one little surprise addition that I found nestled in my box of olfactory delights whipped that Victorian Vampire idea back and made my gothic heart sing! A WHITE WHALE HAS BEEN FOUND. BLOOD layering note No listed notes but if I had to give my best guess, the darkest reaches of the scent imagination. You want unique, here it is- the truest smelling blood accord I have found in the indie world and it layers marvellously well with all my fiendish themed perfumes; now that's scent sorcery! For this Halloween, I donned Sixteen92's Mina Harker and added the perfect finishing touch of Redwood Alchemy's BLOOD accord under my lace gloves and behind my ears and the combination that wafted around me was hypnotic and empowering. The sharpness of the cold plums was amplified and the metallic tang of BLOOD entwined with the hidden typewriter ink, powdery violets and old fashioned skin cream of Mina Harker created a whole new fragrance story that I would have dearly loved to have shared with a dark stranger as we waltzed in the moonlight that night, but alas 2020 had other ideas. Atleast, in my mind I was whirling around and dreaming of what may come in 2021. BLOOD will be staying on my vanity and adding its unique touch to everything. Bravo, Redwood Alchemy! Redwood Alchemy 💕🦕 Complete transparency: I was sent these perfumes as a thank you for the suggestion of a Don Bluth collection someday showing up in the catalogue. Who knew a nerdy discussion about beloved animated films and iconic scenes would turn into such incredible scent artistry that would bring a tear to one's eye for the bottled nostalgia. This was a perfect challenge for Stereoplasm and they nailed it! "THE SECRET OF TIME AND HEAVEN Are you ready to unlock a secret? Take a journey into childhood with me, Sitting in front of your little TV, Going to heaven, Coming back to earth, Let's rediscover childhood's worth. Where all dogs go to heaven to stay, Where Littlefoot finds his family one day, Where Great Owl gives sound advice, Where you and I Are by stories enticed. We are so happy to share September's mini-release with you! Let these scents bring you back into the movies of your childhood days. No matter where you are, You can unlock the secret of time and heaven." ______________________________________________________ One Note At A Time: The Star Leaf (Morning dew, rich soil, nurturing chamomile, mossy stone, fresh herbs and all the star leaves you can eat) Inspired by The Land Before Time (1988) Yep, yep, yep, this one is green and wonderful! I'm immediately transported back to being 5 years old pretending the thick hollow is The Great Valley and I'm sitting on the warm summer grass under the "bright circle" mixing this and that green in a little bowl with a stick then headed indoors for supper where my mother would so cleverly convince me that I was eating "tree stars" with the fleshy vegetables on my plate whilst I could still smell the grit, grass and green moss on my knees, elbows and in my curls. I get freshly smooshed wet tree leaves with even the realistic sap, warm sunlit grass along with lemony dandelions, garden picked basil and something peppery and comforting underneath it all. If you are a nature child or just want to relive carefree childhood for a day, grab The Star Leaf! The Great Owl (Ancient amber, frankincense, bezoin and champaka in a hollow draped in thick cobwebs, glowing citronella and vetiver root) Inspired by The Secret of NIMH (1982) The champaka lends to the golden glow of this perfume that hits the nose first then these fantastic atmospherics glide in, I get the decaying bark of an ancient tree, I get the gauzy stickiness of a thousand pulsating cobwebs and The Great Owl is indeed unnerving. Hours later, an unexpected "green" marshmallow sweetness I recognize from my new obsession called Enjoy Your Waffles grabs my full attention again along with warm amber and I'm one happy lady. The longevity is about 8 to 10 hours for me. Enjoy Your Waffles (A welcoming breakfast of homemade waffles with plenty of maple syrup, coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Superseded by manipulative whispers from a garden of white daises, heliotrope and magnolia) Inspired by All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989) The coffee pairing with orange juice and maple syrup should all equal a rank syrup drowned skunk on me, but it doesn't! Enjoy Your Waffles is just magical. It's warm and comforting with a genius floral atmospheric serving as a base under the soft mixture of realistic gourmand notes along with good cosy vibes that you want to wrap yourself in and never leave. This feels like home, it really does. Even though I never grew up smelling magnolia or didn't get to try waffles until I was an adult, this perfume evokes pure peace and sincere waiting love. It captures the scene in the animated feature All Dogs Go To Heaven, perfectly! Stereoplasm I fully admit I have been circling this store and watching for their Halloween release and when Scary Pumpkin appeared on my screens, it was time! This was my first ever bomb bath purchase and experience from this shop of horrors and fanciful bath art called Winston & Walter Artisanal Products. ______________________________________________________________ *First their customer service is stellar, I messaged the owner to ask about skin irritants, fragrance options, possible custom ideas for holiday gifts and a slew of other questions and she was so sweet and genuine answering my entire list of questions. I ordered on August 28th and I received my parcel of smelly bath treats on September 7th. I wasn't prepared how heavy the box would be when it arrived and was concerned that the contents were broken, but there were "Fragile" stickers all over the box and I was over the moon when I opened the box and was greeted with not only a cascade of aromas ranging from sweet to fruit and a bit "dark", but everything was carefully wrapped in bubble wrap and lovely black organza bags plus sealed in more wrap to preserve the fragrances that awaited and most importantly all with nary a break or crack to report! ______________________________________________________________ *All the bombs were HUGE and had quite the heft to them. I feel I received my full money's worth and then some. I can easily cut each up or break them apart. *All the bombs I received carried their own unique scent and even though I only had the opportunity to use one fragrant fizzy bath-time delight, I can tell they are all going to act the same in terms of the aroma wafting in my little water-filled sanctuary for over a day. *I ordered 3 bombs and received the Gothic Mansion, 3 lip balms from La Belle Reine, creative stickers, and a washable face mask from 123 Masque all free (thank you so much, Winston & Walter)! The lipbalms from La Belle Reine are scented in Vanilla, Watermelon and Limeade. I've only opened the Vanilla one and I'm extremely impressed with the formula and results. No break outs to jot down and it did a great job on my peeling bitten lips. I definitely notice a positive change overnight. The cloth facemask from 123 Masque is thick and has absorbed the lovely fragrance from the Guardian Angel bomb. The mask has been put through its paces since it arrived and indeed does the trick and is comfortable to wear. Guardian Angel Tribute/Charity bomb- *Proceeds goes towards causes such as Senior Care Awareness; this shop supports various charities and it's a wonderful comfort there are people that care this much left in the world! Fragrance: A gourmand aroma with luscious rich top notes of lemon, raspberry, honeydew melon, black currants; with middle notes of jasmine, gardenia, and nutmeg; bottom notes of white chocolate, musk, sandalwood, and patchouli. Unwrapped I am greeted by a marvellous patchwork of bakery sweetness, white florals and tart fruit. There are pastel speckles of different hues seen throughout the design. It's just so beautiful and it's one bomb I can't bring myself to cut up. Raven Skull bomb Fragrance: Peppermint Mocha I finally got my peppermint mocha scent and this one is luscious and comforting.This particular bomb is as large as my hand and extremely detailed. As I feel with all the stunning items, it will be a shame to chop this bomb up when the time comes. I want to display this! Gothic Mansion bomb Fragrance: Top notes of energizing, yet subtle mint notes blended with calming chamomile followed by middle notes of smoky hay and green grassy herbals. Background notes of oak, oakmoss and warm soft cinnamon round out this blend. It is said that this fragrance was inspired by a walk through the country meadows after a rainstorm. This was a very generous free gift found nestled among my order and it's gorgeous and huge!From what I can clearly smell this is a thundershower over dirt and earth. I didn't think it was possible to actually capture that type of atmospheric, but as I have learned, INDIES CAN DO ANYTHING. I can't wait to relax with this bomb. Side note: Do you recognize this specific house? Hehe *snap snap* Scary Pumpkin bomb Fragrance: A super sweet comforting blend of vanilla, pumpkin and yummy marshmallow scent. As it says on the tin, this is pumpkin vanilla marshmallow heaven. This was the bomb I choose to grab and unwrap for my first ever bath bomb experience and I wasn't disappointed. The water fizzed and bubbled even with the tiny amount I trimmed away from the top of the pumpkin and that little bit still filled my bathroom with pumpkin marshmallow goodness. For colour the water turned greyish-black with a swirl of vine-yellow and the water was filled with tons of captivating mini sparkles as the fizz settled. My sensitive skin responded very well and I wasn't itchy afterwards or saw any new breakouts on my arms or shoulders. The dark charcoal colouring rinsed away and didn't stain my older tub. Overall, I exceedingly pleased with my first bath bomb haul and can't recommend this shop enough. Whether you are a horror or pop culture fan or simply looking for a one of a kind gift of relaxation and something to talk about, Winston & Walter has it all and they are releasing new designs (and bars of soap) every week. Winston & Walter Artisanal Products *Reviews composed in October/November 2020 Folktale Bath Apothecary I don't know about anyone else, but it honestly seems Indie Artists are secretly reading our scent diaries or wishlists, haha. This autumn alone I was treated to unexpectedly seeing one of my favourite films and tasty guilty pleasures in life being offered in indie forms within the same week and well I went ahauling. This is Part II of the reason(s) I have no desire to leave my tub and am continually tempted throughout the day to nibble my hair. Sleepy Hollow Collection Olde Fashioned Gingerbread Scent Notes: Sticky gingerbread, autumn spices, and frosting. This smells exactly like a Gingerbread Loaf my English Grandmother used to make during the colder months, the sweetness of black treacle and spice is all there with a generous layer of vanilla custard. I don't associate this fragrance with Christmas, this is a fall type of "gingerbread"; an icing encased bouncy thick cake versus a drier traditional cookie. The owner cleverly nailed the Sleepy Hollow theme with this well-executed Olde Fashioned Gingerbread, I can easily imagine this cake aroma wafting from a side table in a quaint 18th-century country village; it's perfect. When it comes to the formula of this soap, my sensitive skin just drinks in this soap and I'm so happy I went for the larger bar as I can enjoy this delight anytime during the year with no breakouts to worry about. The Sleepy Hollow Soap Sample Pack (6) collection Another over the moon experience with this amazing little shop! This soap sample collection was the perfect option for me as I had the chance to try every delightful and devilish offering of the Sleepy Hollow release. The sizes of the bars were still extremely generous and I can easily see receiving months worth of use for mere pennies! Each sample carries its own character and the artistry that goes into each soap creation (and packaging/presentation) needs to be applauded. The swirls, peaks and colourful flashes just easily catch the eye and these slabs of historical and literature inspiration would look divine displayed in a guest bathroom ready to welcome all home for the holidays. The Headless Horseman Scent notes: Dragon's blood resin, earth & moss As it says on the tin, sweet dragon's blood cut thru with rich notes of earth and rusted metal (depending how your nose interprets patchouli). It's a clever simple fragrant medley made all the more striking with the vibrant shades of orange, yellow and red layered with charcoal creating the impression of rising flames within the bar. Another beautiful piece of scented bath art to recommend that not only looks attractive displayed on the bath ledge but gently treats those of us with sensitive skin and has added benefits of charcoal for troubled skin as well. Almond Plum and Apple Crumble Scent Notes: Toasted Almonds, Sugared Plums & Sweet Apples My favourite sample out of the bunch and fingers crossed this delectable fragrance will return next year in a hair oil or perfume because this one is good enough to tempt a bite out the soap bar and I would love to be wrapped all around with this fruity delight from head to toe. I enjoy canning and baking during the colder months and Almond Plum and Apple Crumble smells exactly like the real thing with cooked plums and apple simmering in the pot and a soft crumbly almond crust and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Just like Olde Fashioned Gingerbread I can imagine this aroma wafting from an 18th-century New England sideboard ready to be devoured by all those welcome to the table. A must-try if you love realistic plum or dark fruit scents. Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Pie Scent Notes: Spiced Pumpkin & Apple Pie with Butterscotch This one is for those that love the sweet in life and not so much the spice. I was looking for a pungent rich spiced pumpkin fragrance to wash away my anxieties and ease my tight muscles, but I get more thick butterscotch, traditional pie crust and sweet apple than creamy warm pumpkin. I'll happily stick with Olde Fashioned Gingerbread and Almond Plum and Apple Crumble for those days I need to float away. Olde Fashioned Gingerbread Scent Notes: Sticky gingerbread, autumn spices, and frosting. *Addendum to above, in addition to it smelling like thick moist cake, it has the bonus of having real cocoa powder between the layers. Watch it (and others) being made here I love watching soap making videos, it's like baking only with a fragrant bubbly bar you get to rub all over yourself and can forget about the pesky extra calories (let's explore that thought, they seriously need to create edible soap bars; that and smell-o-vision)! Mists & Magic Scent Notes: Earl Grey Tea & Vanilla Bathing in tea and I'm one happy lady. This smells realistic with soft lemony tea and a non-gourmand vanilla undertone that is lovely and unexpected. This is another blend I would love to own a hair oil in and see a perfume for others. I'm not surprised this particular bar sold out so quickly. The Pickety Witch (soap and perfume oil) Scent Notes: Warm & Rich Amber, Vanilla & Clove *a sample vial was found tucked into my purchased order all done up in a fitting black organza bag) The Pickety Witch, The Pickety Witch. Who's got a kiss for The Pickety Witch? Hehe oh this one is a bit naughty and mysterious. It's only 3 listed notes but these are blended marvellously together and I get this heated stickiness and some unlisted floral (rose or violet?) underneath the romantic vanilla. The clove stays true and adds a dry warmth to the sweeter notes and in regards to the longevity, The Pickety Witch still turns my head 5 hours later. The soap bar version of this fragrance all the previous positives are true with the bonus of the romantic vanilla amplified slightly to my nose. It's a sultry bath delight made all the more relaxing with the gorgeous black, gold and purple swirls in the bar you can just lose yourself in. Country Market Crafts Blame it on the Peanut Butter craving again (haha) as I found myself at yet another doorway to a new house of fragrance in the hopes of smelling like one of life's wonderful guilty pleasures. Leave-In Hair Conditioner / Detangling Spray in Peanut Butter Cookie As it says on the tin, this smells like a freshly baked Peanut Butter Cookie, right down to the perfect golden underside, but the scent only lasts 10 seconds in my hair before disappearing completely and leaving softness and impressive manageability for my long mane. My thick waist-length hair acts as a sponge when it comes to different scents so I shouldn't be surprised. My bottle is nearly empty a month later so even with that unfortunate negative of the scent disappearing it's still safe to say this purchase was an absolute winner when it comes to the formula. Next time I'll go with Snickerdoodle or something heavily spiced or fruit laced. Delicious lesson learned. Bath Bomb in Sleepy Time Scent Notes: Lavender, Chamomile and Lily of Valley *a surprise gift with purchase sample Every time I step into my water-filled sanctuary and all my cares float away in a fragrant cloud of vibrant coloured bubbles, I always ask myself "how on earth I have gone this far in life without trying bath bombs?" They are seriously heaven sent and this shop's formula is impressive, very gentle plus long-lasting with the fragrance that is both sweetly herbal and floral. It's another lovely addition to my favourite things in my bath to recommend. Part Medieval Mystery, part ghost story and part love letter to the 14th century and ancients traditions, A Gathering of Ghosts charges at the conflicts of a complex era and uses its unique locale, meticulous detail, believable dialogue and fully fleshed characters to ultimately keep the pages turning for the reader. In these chapters the church battles pagan practices and laws over a holy well under the chapel while outside the priory walls, land and mining rights make a secondary story that may leave the reader wishing to return to the order life of the Sisters of the Knights of St John and the mist strewn surrounding wilds more often as those sections on tinning can get a bit dry and repetitive. The ending to all the building drama can also be predictable one moment (especially if you are familiar with this author) but still has one or three twists left that will stay with curious and makes this a novel to recommend. *Purchased and read on kindle -EGP/June 2020 |
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
|