News: 540 posts

I have been processing lots of grief lately as I try to understand what’s happening in Ukraine. I haven’t lived there for years, but it’s the place where I was born and that shaped me, and its pain is my pain. When one feels helpless, the best thing is to reach out to others and help someone else. So I decided to hold a fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF.) It’s been a while since I’ve been thinking of this idea and looking for the best way to organize it. This year has been challenging for many people around the world, and I know that our community wanted to contribute. We’ve raised over $5000.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a reputable organization known for its projects all over the globe. They help with children care, offer help to impoverished communities and those experiencing military conflicts. Their structure is quite lean, so it means that the money, even if it’s a small amount, goes a long way.

The fundraiser ran till June 30, 2022, and the winner is Vincent. However, I will leave a link for those who would like to donate anyway.

How to Donate
Click on this link: Donate Now

The prize for this fundraiser was vintage Coty Chypre.

EDIT on March 6 2022: This list is constantly evolving, and as my readers are sending me links and suggestions, I will keep on adding the information. If you see anything that needs to be update, please let me know. Please distribute this list as widely as you possibly can so that it can get into the hands of someone who needs it.

Aiding Ukraine and Ukrainians from Abroad

This comprehensive list was sent to me by a friend from my college days. It was compiled by Aleksandr Sklyar ([email protected]), Ph. D. Sociocultural Anthropology (Colgate University, Visiting Assistant Professor of University Studies), Dvorah Southland ([email protected]), and volunteers from the Colgate University community. A full list of resources and charities. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gL0cPoZeqQlbE0Nqubqs4kNmDYjn_kw7JRvomUmqWSQ/edit

Polish NGOs working for migrants and refugees 

Cooperates with many other organizations and shares money with them according to their needs.

https://konsorcjum.org.pl/

Another Polish organization that helps refugees

https://ocalenie.org.pl

Animal Charities

I’m compiling a list of resources based on reader suggestions.

https://linkin.bio/ifawglobal

@shelter_ugolyok

@happy_paw

@1bike1world

Resources for Minorities and People of Color  

The list below was compiled by Marianne @spritzi_mcgillacutty, with the assistance of Roshan @uniquescents.co and Susanna.

OPEN TO ALL FOREIGN NATIONALS IN UKRAINE

• Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon –  comprehensive list of resources for African, BIPOC, LGBTQIA and disabled Ukrainians
  • Twitter:  @ksvaranon  
  • Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/ksvarnon

• Black Polish – Organizing help for foreign students fleeing Ukraine (in Polish & English) 
  • @blackispolish

• CARA – NGO offering help to academics in danger, forced in exile and under serious risk in their home country. Currently working with universities in Ukraine.
  • Phone: +44 (0)207 021 0880
  • Fax: +44 (0)207 021 0881
  • Email: [email protected]

• Government Resources available in Romania
  • Andreea Enache: twitter: @andreea_mihaela

• Leaving Ukraine – Support group for Africans leaving Ukraine to a Safe Zone; On Twitter lots of useful info for Nigerian students
  • Twitter: @leavingukraine
  • Website: https://lnkj.in/p/nido/
  • Instagram: @blackpeopleinukraine

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BOOKINGS PAUSED DUE TO THE SITUATION AFFECTING MY FAMILY IN UKRAINE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. IF YOU ALREADY BOOKED AND THE TRIP NEEDS TO BE CANCELLED, YOUR DEPOSIT WILL BE REFUNDED IN FULL.

• The place where Jason and the Argonauts went in search of the Golden Fleece
• The oldest wine-making region in the world
• The country so renowned for its cuisine that its culinary traditions were honoured as Intangible World Heritage

Join us on a trip to Georgia, a country in the Caucasus region renowned for its stunning nature and rich culture with 5000-year-old roots. Despite its small size, Georgia has the largest number of UNESCO-protected properties in the region, several World Heritage sites, and many ancient traditions recognized as Intangible World Heritage—music, singing, wine-making, and even feasting. And we will experience it during our 8-day adventure for all senses. We will explore Georgia’s art, culture, and cuisine, while studying about our sense of smell in order to sharpen it and learn how to derive the most pleasure from perfume, food, and other daily experiences.

The best part of Georgia is its people, and our trip will give you a chance to meet artists and artisans. We will be hosted by a Georgian family and learn about music and cuisine from them. And we will be creators ourselves as we make our own perfume accords inspired by our experiences in Georgia.

I’m partnering with Nataliya Cummings of Experience Ukraine and Beyond, a boutique UK-based tour operator. Nataliya has done several highly rated tours to Georgia, and the particular route we have selected for our Adventure for All Senses lets us experience some of the most beautiful aspects of the country. ​

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Update: The interest in the new classes has been overwhelming, and all six seminars are now fully booked. I appreciate your enthusiasm and support. If you are interested in the Bois de Jasmin classes, please subscribe to our newsletter to be notified of new dates and topics. Of course, if you are interested in a particular class or topic, please send me a note.

New Bois de Jasmin online classes are now available for enrollment in 2022. I am continuing the popular Spices, Citrus, and Dark Woods series. I will also add three new classes focusing on florals: Rose, Orange Blossom, and Iris.

About Bois de Jasmin classes: These classes are for students of all levels of interest in perfumery. The classes teach you how to smell like a professional perfumer, take apart complex scents, and sharpen your sense of smell. Together we will study the fundamental classes of perfume materials and discover how they are used in perfumes. The lectures are designed to improve your enjoyment and appreciation of scents.

Class structure: 1h 15min. Small-group, interactive classes.

Having completed several classes, I listened to your suggestions and made a few changes. Originally, the classes were 1 hour and I set aside 15 minutes for questions. Many felt that 1 hour was not enough and wanted more guided exercises, so the lecture + exercise portion will be 1 hour and 15 minutes. We have time in between exercises for questions, and I’m always available to answer your questions afterwards.

Another change is that I suggest to bring perfumes to each class. I will give you a couple of suggested fragrances, but you can always use any suitable perfume from your own collection. We will still continue using readily available spices and fragrant materials for our smelling exercises, such as spices, coffee, or citrus fruit. You do not need to buy essential oil kits for these classes. You’ll receive the full instructions before the start of the class and after finishing the class you will also receive a list of fragrances to try based on the lecture theme.

Location: Online, Zoom

Date & Time: 1h 15min

Spices January 22nd, Saturday 1:00pm-2:15pm EST/7:00pm-8:15pm CET (time zone converter)  SOLD OUT

Citrus January 26th, Wednesday 1:00pm-2:15pm EST/7:00pm-8:15pm CET (time zone converter)  SOLD OUT

Dark Woods January 29th, Saturday 1:00pm-2:15pm EST/7:00pm-8:15pm CET (time zone converter)  SOLD OUT

3 class series: Spices, Citrus, Woods  SOLD OUT

Rose February 5th, Saturday 1:00pm-2:15pm EST/7:00pm-8:15pm CET (time zone converter) SOLD OUT

Orange Blossom February 9th, Wednesday 1:00pm-2:15pm EST/7:00pm-8:15pm CET (time zone converter)   SOLD OUT

Iris February 12th, Saturday 1:00pm-2:15pm EST/7:00pm-8:15pm CET (time zone converter) SOLD OUT

3 class series: Rose, Orange Blossom, Iris  SOLD OUT

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Today’s topic is trends in fine fragrance, air care (candles, diffusers, room sprays,) and body care. Based on my professional experience and studies of consumer reports, I will share three key trends that define 2021/2022. First of all, a note on how trends are compiled, because it’s an obscure topic to most people outside of the perfume industry–and to many people in the industry as well. No crystal balls are involved; it’s all about numbers.

To put it simply, agencies like NPD and Mintel track sales of different products, and based on the sales volumes and types of products, they make inferences about consumer preferences. Similar, perfume companies research trends and preferences, based on the sales of their products and those of their competitors. Understanding trends is important for brands in today’s crowded market not so much to make the whole world smell of green tea and peaches but to see where the tastes of consumers lie. What are they interested in? What kind of products appeal to them?

The insights I share below are based on my professional experience as a researcher and the information I come across as part of my day-to-day work as an industry analyst. I will explain each trend and give a few examples. You can watch the video or read my report below.

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