Parfums de Nicolaï is launching a new fragrance called L‘Eau à la Folie. L’Eau à la Folie is part of the trilogy with l’Eau Mixte (a citrus melange) and l’Eau Chic (elegant fragrance dominated by lavender and geranium). It is a citrusy floral fragrance, with fruity accents. Perfumer Patricia de Nicolaï wanted to capture the perfume of sun ripened fruit and also to suggest a refreshing Mojito cocktail. The mango, orange and lime set the tone for the composition. Egyptian jasmine absolute, mint, juniper and pink pepper are the additional notes in L’Eau à la Folie.

The fragrance is available in 30 ($45) and 100ml ($115) spray bottles. Nowsmellthis reports that L’Eau à la Folie can already be found at Beautyhabit or Parfum1 in the US.

Via press release

by Suzanna

Swiss perfumer Andy Tauer burst onto the niche perfume scene in 2005 with the stunningly atmospheric L’Air du Desert Marocain, a breath-of-the-desert scent that twisted bergamot and petitgrain through a hot floral-woody core.  This was when Andy had just two perfumes (the other was Le Maroc pour Elle) and those two scents were available only on the Tauer perfume Web site and had to be posted from Switzerland.

Six years later, Andy has produced 21 scents, two of which (Ingrid, Loretta) are not yet released. He was especially prolific in 2011, a year in which he released six scents.  In this number was one of the most ebullient summer-sunshine perfumes you are likely to encounter, Zeta. 

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If you love the smell of books, you might be interested to know that you share company with Karl Lagerfeld. “The smell of a freshly printed book is the best smell in the world,” says the fashion designer. He recently partnered with Geza Schoen, Gerhard Steidl, and Wallpaper* magazine to launch Paper Passion fragrance. The perfume was created by Geza, while  the packaging is designed by Karl Lagerfeld and Steidl.

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clockwise from top left: patriotic flag over Carnaby Street, Bond Street shops, bike docking station in Soho Square, Vanessa’s friend and guide Alberto

Today’s guest post is brought to you by Vanessa Musson, the charmingly eccentric author of Bonkers about Perfume. Vanessa is a freelance market researcher, specialising in industrial products.  She was struck down by “sudden onset perfume mania” relatively late in life, while googling a couple of scents worn by her friend.  As she puts it, “then before you could say ‘Michael Edwards Fragrance Wheel’ my inner researcher was totally hooked, and what began as an intellectual pastime quickly exploded into full-blown ‘fumehedonism’.  Eighteen months later I started my blog, Bonkers about Perfume.  Blending trivia-filled travelogues with a sideways look at the world of fragrance, it subjects everything in its path – from behemoths to Britney – to the same bonkers spin.” Vanessa is taking us on a tour of London’s perfumeries in her guest contribution to Bois de Jasmin.

This long weekend marks The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: London is bedecked with bunting and a packed programme of events is in full swing, including exhibitions, processions, a grand flotilla on the Thames and countless street parties. I was down in London two weeks ago as the preparations were underway, and as my friend Alberto Umbridge and I wandered around the city and admired the exuberant decorations, we decided that it might be fun to cycle between some of my favourite London perfumeries using the free bicycle hire scheme championed by London’s mayor, Boris Johnson.  It turned out to be a great day full of adventures and discoveries, and I would love to share my route with you. I will also include Tube station information for anyone who would prefer a more sedate method of getting around, together with some suggestions of good places to stop along the way for a drink or a bite to eat.

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I was always the kind of person who planned her meals around desserts. I thought nothing of having a chocolate cake for breakfast and ice cream for dinner. But as time went by, my sweet tooth diminished somewhat. This morning as I was trying to pick out a pastry for breakfast, I surprised myself when I reached for a salty pretzel instead of a chocolate filled croissant.

When it comes to perfumes, on the other hand, I was never a fan of sweet, sugary blends, preferring the salty vetivers, green irises and tangy orange blossoms. Yet, as my dessert cravings diminish, I find myself craving vanilla and caramel in my fragrances. Today I’m wearing Parfums de Nicolaï Vanille Tonka and enjoying its smoky vanilla custard whipped with toasted almonds and cinnamon.

What about you? Do you have a sweet tooth or do you prefer salt, in both food and perfumes?

Photography by Bois de Jasmin, all rights reserved.