Victoria: 2669 posts

When I learned via the publisher Wiley-vch about a new book on fragrance science authored by the prominent chemists Günther Ohloff, Wilhelm Pickenhagen and Philip Kraft, I immediately placed a pre-order. Ohloff’s articles have been my favorite perfume geek reading since I first started Bois de Jasmin and I already knew of Philip Kraft’s work through his revealing Perfumer & Flavorist article on Chanel No 5, so I impatiently anticipated my book to arrive. For the past couple of weeks, I have been spending my free moments with Scent and Chemistry: The Molecular World of Odors, learning about aroma-materials and their role in some of the most renowned fragrances on the market.

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“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library,” wrote Argentinian poet Jorge Luis Borges. Ever since I moved out of my parents’ house, I decided that I will make my own version of an earthly paradise by investing efforts into my library. For years I have lived in apartments where the only pieces of furniture were the overspilling bookshelves. These days we have added a table and a bed to our Spartan living arrangements. An interior designer friend once drew up a plan that would maximize the use of space in our apartment. Her sketch was full of light, cream colored cushions and purple window dressings. She suggested that I move half of my books to storage. Her sketch is languishing behind one of the bookshelves. The books are still with me.

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Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

What took me so long to discover Vero Profumo Rubj? March was very enthusiastic about it. Angela’s beautiful review called it a “ravished ballerina” perfume. But better later than never! A luscious orange blossom and tuberose composition, Rubj is underpinned by such a fleshy animalic note that it makes Serge Lutens Musc Koublai Khan seem straight-laced. It not only intrigues and seduces me, but also comforts and caresses.

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Frederic Malle is in the midst of a collaborating with renowned shoe designer, Pierre Hardy. They recently debuted their limited edition Travel Spray Cases. They come in a variety of colors and echo Hardy’s elegant style.

“Designed to hold any 10ml spray vial in the Editions de Parfums Collection, these pocket-size perfume atomizers are perfect for carrying your favorite Editions de Parfums fragrance along wherever you go. Available in a series of colors, a total of 500 of the individually hand sprayed cases will be sold within the US exclusively at the Frederic Malle NY Boutique, Barney’s New York and Beverly Hills for $285 beginning in April.” via press release

More information on Frederic Malle’s collection can be found through his official Facebook page.

Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

I consider myself a fairly open minded perfume lover, ready to experience a new fragrance without any preconceived notions. At the very least, I keep my biases in check. I reason that a perfumista’s equivalent of an omnivore is someone who disregards the minutia and goes straight for the juice. So when Avon Infinite Moment for Her crossed my path, I managed to get past the blandness of the moniker. Even the ad that seems to be taken from the cover of a “bodice ripper” novel did not faze me. These days my courageous testing often leaves me smelling like a candy factory on fire, but Intimate Moment for Her rewarded me with a creamy floral wrapped in vanilla and soft woods. While not offering anything original, it is nevertheless a sophisticated, easy to wear choice.

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